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| author | pgww <pgww@lists.pglaf.org> | 2025-07-14 22:22:01 -0700 |
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| committer | pgww <pgww@lists.pglaf.org> | 2025-07-14 22:22:01 -0700 |
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diff --git a/76504-h/76504-h.htm b/76504-h/76504-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d08a6d4 --- /dev/null +++ b/76504-h/76504-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,13028 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + The Minute Boys of South Carolina | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tiny {width: 5%; margin-left: 47.5%; margin-right: 47.5%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;} +hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } +hr.full { width: 109%; margin-left: -1em; margin-right: 0;} + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + padding-left: 2em; +} + +td {padding-left: 0.5em;} +.tdr {text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;} +.tdl {text-align: left; text-indent: -2em;} + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; +} + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 17.5%; + margin-right: 17.5%; +} + +.x-ebookmaker .blockquot { + margin-left: 7.5%; + margin-right: 7.5%; +} + +.bbox {border: 2px solid; padding: 1em;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.allsmcap {font-variant: small-caps; text-transform: lowercase;} + +.u {text-decoration: underline;} + +.ph1 {text-align: center; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;} +.ph2 {text-align: center; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold;} +.ph3 {text-align: center; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;} + +div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; page-break-after: always;} +div.titlepage p {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 2em;} + +.xxlarge {font-size: 200%;} +.xlarge {font-size: 150%;} +.large {font-size: 125%;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} + +.x-ebookmaker .hide {display: none; visibility: hidden;} + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +.poetry-container {display: flex; justify-content: center;} +.poetry-container {text-align: center;} +.poetry {text-align: left; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} + +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + margin-left: 17.5%; + margin-right: 17.5%; + padding: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } + +.antiqua { + font-family: Blackletter, Fraktur, Textur, "Old English Text MT", "Olde English Mt", "Olde English", "Old English", + "Engravers Old English BT", "Collins Old English", "New Old English", Gothic, serif, sans-serif;} + +.illowe28_125 {width: 28.125em;} + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76504 ***</div> + +<div class="figcenter hide"><img src="images/coversmall.jpg" width="450" alt=""></div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h1>THE MINUTE BOYS OF<br> +SOUTH CAROLINA</h1> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="bbox"> +<p class="ph3">AMERICAN HISTORY<br> +STORIES FOR BOYS</p> + +<hr class="full"> + +<p class="ph3"><span class="u">THE MINUTE BOYS SERIES</span></p> + + +<p>The Minute Boys of Lexington<br> +The Minute Boys of Bunker Hill</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="large"><b>By Edward Stratemeyer</b></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/deco.jpg" alt=""></div> + +<p>The Minute Boys of the Green Mountains<br> +The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley<br> +The Minute Boys of the Wyoming Valley<br> +The Minute Boys of South Carolina<br> +The Minute Boys of Long Island</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="large"><b>By James Otis</b></span></p> + +<hr class="full"> + +<p class="ph3"><span class="u">THE MEXICAN WAR SERIES</span></p> + +<p class="ph1">By Capt. Ralph Bonehill</p> + +<p>For the Liberty of Texas<br> +With Taylor on the Rio Grande<br> +Under Scott in Mexico</p> + +<hr class="full"> + +<p class="ph3">DANA ESTES & COMPANY<br> +Publishers<br> +Estes Press, Summer St., Boston</p> +</div></div></div></div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_0"></span> +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_f004"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_f004.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">“‘I WILL TAKE YOUR LIFE AS FORFEIT FOR TREACHERY!’”</p> + +<p class="right">(<i>See page <a href="#Page_281">281</a>.</i>)</p></figcaption> +</figure> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_f005.jpg" alt="title page"></div> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="titlepage"> +<p><span class="xlarge">THE</span><br> +<span class="xxlarge">MINUTE BOYS<br> +OF SOUTH CAROLINA</span></p> + +<p><span class="large">A STORY OF “HOW WE BOYS AIDED<br> +MARION THE SWAMP FOX”</span></p> + +<p>AS TOLD BY<br> +<span class="xlarge">RUFUS RANDOLPH</span></p> + +<p><span class="xlarge">JAMES OTIS</span></p> + +<p><span class="antiqua">Illustrated by</span><br> +J. W. F. KENNEDY</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_f005a.jpg" alt=""></div> + +<p>BOSTON<br> +<span class="large">DANA ESTES & COMPANY</span><br> +PUBLISHERS</p> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center"><i>Copyright, 1907</i><br> +<span class="smcap">By Dana Estes</span> & <span class="smcap">Company</span></p> +<hr class="tiny"> +<p class="center"><i>All rights reserved</i><br> +<br> +<br> +<i>COLONIAL PRESS<br> +Electrotyped and Printed by C. H. Simonds & Co.<br> +Boston, U. S. A.</i></p> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS</h2> +</div> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/decoline.jpg" alt=""></div> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdr"><span class="allsmcap">CHAPTER</span></td><td class="tdr" colspan="2"> <span class="allsmcap">PAGE</span></td></tr> + +<tr><td> </td><td><span class="smcap">Foreword</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_v"> v</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">I.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Gabriel and Rufus</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_11"> 11</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">II.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Pursuit</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_28"> 28</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">III.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Recruits</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_47"> 47</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">IV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Disappointment</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_67"> 67</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">V.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Barfield’s Camp</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_87"> 87</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">VI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Rescue</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_103"> 103</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">VII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Nelson’s Ferry</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_121"> 121</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">VIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Prisoners</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_140"> 140</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">IX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Trap</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_159"> 159</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">X.</td><td> <span class="smcap">An Odd Battle</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_179"> 179</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Our Retreat</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_198"> 198</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Mysterious Escape</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_217"> 217</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Search for the Traitor</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_236"> 236</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XIV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Queer Message</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_254"> 254</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Rowe’s Smithy</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_273"> 273</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XVI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Skirmish in the Dark</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_292"> 292</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XVII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Seth Hastings Once More</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_310"> 310</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XVIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Manœuvring for Position</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_326"> 326</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XIX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Dastardly Blow</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_344"> 344</a></td></tr> +</table> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> +</div> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/decoline.jpg" alt=""></div> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2"><span class="allsmcap">PAGE</span></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">“‘<span class="smcap">I will take your life as forfeit for treachery!</span>’”<br> +(<i>See page <a href="#Page_281">281</a></i>)</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_0"> <i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">“‘<span class="smcap">Five minutes longer and we shall be out of +range!</span>’”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_32"> 32</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">“‘<span class="smcap">Dismount and throw down your weapons!</span>’” </td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_80"> 80</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">“<span class="smcap">If it had not been for Seth Hastings, I should +have considered myself exceedingly fortunate</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_112"> 112</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">“‘<span class="smcap">I propose that we halt here</span>’”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_123"> 123</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">“<span class="smcap">Then we saw coming through the avenue of +trees our ‘Swamp Fox’</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_196"> 196</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">“‘<span class="smcap">Are you master davis’s daughter?</span>’”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_265"> 265</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">“‘<span class="smcap">And we are to leave all these camp equipments?</span>’”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_314"> 314</a></td></tr> +</table> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">[v]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="FOREWORD">FOREWORD</h2> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/decoline.jpg" alt=""></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> has always seemed proper to me that he who +writes a story should explain to the readers how +it came about that he was prompted to tell the tale, +for surely there must be a good and sufficient reason +for the making of a book, and it also comes +to my mind that however dry and uninteresting +such an explanation may be, he who reads the story +owes it to himself, as well as the author, to learn +all he can regarding the facts, however remote, +which may pertain to the characters presented, and +yet be of such a nature that the author cannot well, +without sacrificing his own plans, deviate sufficiently +to relate them in the book itself.</p> + +<p>Therefore it is that I shall be grateful to the +reader if he will set down in his own mind certain +passages from history which are quoted below, to +the end that he may the better understand why two +lads born and bred in Charleston, in the State of +South Carolina, left their homes at a time when +the cause of liberty appeared to be crushed to earth, +and why they followed the desperate ventures of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">[vi]</span> +Francis Marion during his unequal but wondrously +successful struggle against an enemy which was +bent on trampling into the mire the patriots who +strove to rear a country for themselves in the New +World.</p> + +<p>Shortly after the publication of the story entitled +“The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley,” +a gentleman residing at Charleston sent to me a +packet of closely written pages, stained by time, +and with the ink so faded that only with difficulty +certain portions could be read. I was richly rewarded, +however, for the labor spent in reading +that which was set down, for I found that the +manuscript was neither more nor less than a series +of letters connected, evidently at a later date, by +memoranda, and all written by one Rufus Randolph, +a distant relative of Francis and Gabriel +Marion.</p> + +<p>To make of the whole a story, such as entertained +myself at least, was a trifling task compared +with the labor which had been performed by the +young writer, and verily it was a labor of love, for +while working over the faded pages I came to learn +many things concerning that heroic struggle which +the “Swamp Fox” made against overwhelming +forces bent on devastating the fair colony of South +Carolina, and I have done little more in the pages +which follow than transcribe his own story.</p> + +<p>So much for the reason why “The Minute Boys +of South Carolina” has been put into print, and +now, because Rufus Randolph failed to set down +anything concerning those terrible days after Sir<span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">[vii]</span> +Henry Clinton captured the city of Charleston, I +ask that the following extracts from the historian +Lossing’s “Field Book of the Revolution,” a +goodly portion of which I have condensed lest one +weary with the reading, be studied with some care.</p> + +<p>“The fall of Charleston, and loss of Lincoln’s +army, paralyzed the Republican strength at the +South, and the British commanders confidently believed +that the finishing-stroke of the war had been +given.”</p> + +<p>“Clinton sailed for New York on the fifth of +June, leaving Cornwallis in chief command of the +British troops at the South. Before his departure, +Clinton issued a proclamation, declaring all persons +not in military service, who were prisoners +at Charleston, released from their paroles, provided +they returned to their allegiance as subjects of +Great Britain. So far, well; but not the sequel. +All persons refusing to comply with this requisition +were declared to be enemies and rebels, and were +to be treated accordingly. And more; they were +required to enroll themselves as militia under the +king’s standard. This flagrant violation of the +terms of capitulation aroused a spirit of indignant +defiance, which proved a powerful lever in overturning +the royal power in the South. Many considered +themselves released from all the obligations +of their paroles, and immediately armed themselves +in defence of their homes and country, while others +refused to exchange their paroles for any new conditions. +The silent influence of eminent citizens +who took this course was now perceived by Cornwallis,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">[viii]</span> +and, in further violation of the conditions +of capitulation, he sent many leading men of +Charleston as close prisoners to St. Augustine, +while a large number of the Continental soldiers +were cast into the loathsome prison-ships, and +other vessels in the harbor.”</p> + +<p>“But when the trumpet-blasts of the conqueror +of Burgoyne were heard upon the Roanoke, and +the brave hearts of Virginia and North Carolina +were gathering around the standard of Gates, the +patriots of the South lifted up their heads, and +many of them, like Samson rising in strength, +broke the feeble cords of ‘paroles’ and ‘protections,’ +and smote the Philistines of the crown with mighty +energy. Sumter sounded the bugle among the hills +on the Catawba and Broad Rivers; Marion’s shrill +whistle rang amid the swamps on the Pedee; and +Pickens and Clarke called forth the brave sons of +liberty upon the banks of the Saluda, the Savannah, +the Ogeechee, and the Alatamaha.</p> + +<p>“Fortunately for the Republican cause, an accident +prevented Marion being among the prisoners +when Charleston fell, and he was yet at liberty, +having no parole to violate, to arouse his countrymen +to make further efforts against the invaders. +While yet unable to be active, he took refuge in +the swamps upon the Black River, while Governor +Rutledge, Colonel Horry, and others, who had escaped +the disasters at Charleston, were in North +Carolina arousing the people of that State to meet +the danger which stood menacing upon its southern +border. Marion’s military genius and great bravery<span class="pagenum" id="Page_ix">[ix]</span> +were known to friends and foes, and while the +latter sought to entrap him, the former held over +him the shield of their vigilance. ‘In the moment +of alarm he was sped from house to house, from +tree to thicket, from the thicket to the swamp.’”</p> + +<p>“It was while in the camp of Gates that Governor +Rutledge, who also was there, commissioned +Marion a brigadier, and he sped to the district of +Williamsburg, between the Santee and Pedee, to +lead its rising patriots to the field of active military +duties. They had accepted the protection of British +power after Charleston was surrendered, in common +with their subdued brethren of the low country; +but when Clinton’s proclamation was promulgated, +making active service for the crown or the +penalty of rebellion an alternative, they eagerly +chose the latter, and lifted the strong arm-resistance +to tyranny. They called Marion to be their leader, +and of these men he formed his efficient brigade, +the terror of British scouts and outposts. Near +the mouth of Lynch’s Creek he assumed the command, +and among the interminable swamps upon +Snow’s Island, near the junction of that stream +with the Great Pedee, he made his chief rendezvous +during the greater portion of his independent +partisan warfare.”</p> + +<p>Having thus refreshed your memory with the +facts just given, remember that that which follows +is the work of Rufus Randolph, and not of your +friend,</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">James Otis</span>.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_x">[x]</span></p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> + +<p class="ph2">THE MINUTE BOYS OF<br> +SOUTH CAROLINA</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/decoline.jpg" alt=""></div> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I<br> + +<small>GABRIEL AND RUFUS</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> king’s forces laid siege to Charleston, in +the State of South Carolina, on the very day that +Gabriel Marion was sixteen years old, and when I +was come to the same age the Continental forces +made their first sortie, as I remember full well +because of the fact that General Moultre’s brother +was then killed. Thus it will be seen that Gabriel +was my senior only by fifteen days, for it must be +fresh in the minds of every one that Sir Henry +Clinton opened fire on Charleston the fifth day of +April, in the year of grace 1780; that the Americans +made their first sortie on the twentieth; that +on the sixth day of May the besiegers completed +their third parallel, and on the twelfth the city was +in the possession of the king’s troops.</p> + +<p>There is no good reason why I should go into +details concerning the siege and capture of Charleston, +because they are well known to everybody;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> +but I have used the facts as a starting-point of what +may prove to be a story such as can be told to lads +who shall live after I have gone out of this world. +It seems no more than proper to do so, for it was +while the British shot and shell were screaming +over our heads as we aided in the defence as boys +might, that Gabriel Marion, brother of that General +Marion whom the minions of the king dubbed +“Swamp Fox,” determined to profit by the example +which the lads in the eastern States had set +us, and once the time should be ripe, band the lads +of South Carolina together under the name of +Minute Boys.</p> + +<p>Many a time, as Gabriel and I staggered here +and there under the burden of ammunition for our +elders, who had permitted that we take part in the +defence to the extent of supplying the different +guns with powder and ball,—and so small was our +store that we were forced now and again to carry +it an exceeding long distance,—many a time, as I +have said, while we were thus engaged Gabriel and +I turned the matter over in our minds, vowing +that as soon as the king’s hirelings had been beaten +back, as we had no doubt soon would be the case, +the Minute Boys of South Carolina should come +into existence as an organization distinct from the +regular army.</p> + +<p>Warm friends were Gabriel and I, with never a +difference between us save when, owing to the fact +that my name was Rufus and my hair all too +vividly red for my own pleasure, he would persist +in calling me William Rufus, giving me the name<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> +of that king who was known as “The Red,” and +it vexed me sorely at times, because, although not +responsible for my personal appearance, the shock +of red hair with which nature had endowed me was +so conspicuous as to call forth comment from all +who saw it for the first time.</p> + +<p>It was as if he called me “carrot-top,” when he +tacked on to my name Rufus, that of William, because +the youngest schoolboy knows that William +Rufus’s hair showed out so conspicuous that his +soldiers were as prone to follow it into battle, when +perchance a lock was exposed beneath his helmet, +as they were to rally around his flag.</p> + +<p>However, the color of my hair, and what Gabriel +Marion might say in sport regarding it, has nothing +to do with that which I propose to set down, save +that it will serve to show now and again why I +lost control of my temper on being greeted by the +name of a king.</p> + +<p>Gabriel Marion lived with his brother, Francis, +who was made lieutenant-colonel at Savannah the +year previous to the siege, in St. John’s Parish, +but at the time when Clinton appeared off Edisto +Inlet, the colonel was ordered to Charleston, and +with him came Gabriel who took up his abode in +my home, for it was in that fair city I had been +born.</p> + +<p>As you know, Charleston was surrendered on +terms which to some seemed honorable, while +others declared them to be humiliating, and then +came that proclamation from Sir Henry Clinton +which aroused the ire of every person, young or<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> +old, male or female, in South Carolina. Following +closely upon it, as if it were but the natural sequel, +came the arrest of Lieutenant-Governor Gadsen +and seventy-seven of the most influential men, thus +giving all our people to understand how little of +faith we could put in any declaration of those +who had invaded our land. After that August +morning, when we saw the chief men of the city +marched away to the loathsome prison-ships in +the harbor, there was but one desire in the hearts +of those who hoped to see their State rid of the +oppressive yoke which the king had put upon it, +and that was to flee to some place where they +might act the part they had sworn to act, and each +do his full share toward making reprisals, for the +victory of the king’s forces had well-nigh crushed +out from our breasts the belief that we might make +of the States so lately declared free and independent, +a nation of freemen.</p> + +<p>I am not minded to go into detail concerning +the flight of this family or that from the stricken +city, as there is in the story so much of sorrow, or +pain, ay, of shame, that it is not well to let the +mind rest upon it. Rather should we think of what +has been accomplished since, of how we wiped out +the disgrace, if disgrace it can be called when our +people were whipped through sheer strength of +numbers rather than superior bravery or better +knowledge of warfare.</p> + +<p>Suffice it to say that among those who did steal +secretly out of the city, or tried to do so, vowing +to avenge the wrongs that had been perpetrated,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> +were Gabriel Marion and I. My mother and invalid +father had set off for General Marion’s home +on the very day after the capitulation, and I was +left to follow my own inclinations so that they had +the bent of my father’s advice, which was that, although +not a man in years, it was my duty to do a +man’s full work in striking off the shackles which +the king’s misrule had fastened upon us.</p> + +<p>It was not as easy for two stout lads like Gabriel +and myself to leave the city as it was for the +women, the sick, or the helpless, and before we +found an opportunity to give the redcoats the slip, +word was brought by a negro, who had contrived +to make his way through the British lines with a +message of mouth, that General Marion, his broken +leg having been healed and he made brigadier-general, +had fled to Snow’s Island, where he awaited +the coming of those who were eager to continue +in arms against the victorious foe.</p> + +<p>And now, just a word in regard to the rendezvous, +lest some there be who may not understand +how an island can be situated inland, or where this +particular place is located. In Williamsburg district, +where the Great Pedee is joined by Lynch’s +Creek, the united streams are divided for a certain +distance by a swampy piece of land with here and +there solid ground upon it. The rivers come together +again at the mouth, thus forming what we +call Snow’s Island. Desperate indeed must be the +fortune of those who would seek such a refuge, for +a guide was necessary in order to lead one safely +across the swamp-lands on either side of the river<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> +to the few places where a man might lie down +without fear of being drowned. The only advantage +it could possess was that the enemy might not +come upon it readily, and never gain the solid portion +of the surrounding country without being +piloted by those who knew well the devious passages.</p> + +<p>Now you can understand why Gabriel’s brother +was dubbed the “Swamp Fox” by those who +sought so vainly to entrap him, and you may also +have some faint idea of the hardships which we +two lads knew must be encountered before we could +gain the rendezvous, for more than two-thirds of +the journey must be made over morass and swamp +not unlike that which I have just been describing.</p> + +<p>However, we had little care, time, or thought for +the dangers to be encountered, because we were +fleeing from that peril which seemed greater than +any we could meet, and it was by no means imaginary. +We had already seen the chief men of +Charleston marched under heavy guard to the +prison-ships, where were horrors so great that it +would chill the blood of one to describe them, and +if Sir Henry Clinton’s forces dared lay hands upon +the leading citizens of South Carolina, we knew full +well that two lads like ourselves would have but +short shrift if peradventure they had cause to suspect +us of what they were pleased to call treason.</p> + +<p>Our plan, if indeed we had a plan at that time, +was to take a boat up Cooper River, thence into the +West River to that portion of St. John’s Parish +where was located Gabriel’s home, and trust to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> +chance of getting horses there; strike straight +across the country to Gardine’s Ferry, and thence +to Snow’s Island as the disposition of the British +forces would allow.</p> + +<p>Since we could not form a company of Minute +Boys very well with but two members, before setting +out we cast about for such of our acquaintances +as were sufficiently strong in the backbone +to permit of their sharing the dangers with us, and +the first to whom we unfolded our plan was Archie +Gordon.</p> + +<p>But few words were necessary to enlist him in +this scheme. Although a full year younger than +Gabriel and I, he was possessed with the same +fever to exact reprisals from the foe as were we, +and without waiting until all our half-formed plans +should have been detailed, he announced his purpose +of joining us, declaring that he was not only +ready to set out immediately, but happened to +know where we might find a skiff which would be +suited to our purpose.</p> + +<p>While we were talking with him, Seth Hastings, a +lad of seventeen years or thereabouts, came up, and +I would have held my peace while he lingered near +by, because of ever having distrusted the lad. His +shifty eyes, which refused to look squarely upon +one; his love of telling a lie when the truth would +have served him better; the fact that he would betray +one playmate, if opportunity arose, to another +in the hope of provoking some small quarrel—all +these things combined to make me suspicious of +the lad even when he spoke most fairly, and I would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span> +almost as soon have gone to the red-coated soldiers +with the plan as to have confided it to Seth Hastings.</p> + +<p>But Gabriel Marion, who could never see aught +of evil in any person save those who wore the +king’s livery, welcomed him heartily as he came +up, and without waiting to learn if Archie and I +were of the mind to enlist this possible recruit, at +once acquainted him with the plan, urging that he +enroll himself with us as Minute Boys of South +Carolina.</p> + +<p>It may have been that I was overly suspicious, +for perhaps at that moment Seth had no idea of +playing the traitor to those whom he called comrades; +but I fancied there was in his eyes a gleam +of—I know not what to call it, yet the look which +was in those shifty orbs disquieted me, and I would +have given much had it been possible to recall +Gabriel’s incautious words.</p> + +<p>They had been spoken, however; Seth Hastings +was in possession of our secret, which, if known to +the British commander or any of his staff, would +have consigned us instantly to the reeking, filthy +prison-ships where so many brave hearts were languishing +nigh unto death. He knew all our plan, +and it was too late to draw back.</p> + +<p>While Gabriel argued with him as to why he +should join us, I cast about in my mind as to how +we might hold him true—how it would be possible +to prevent him from betraying us before we had +set off on the journey, and therefore it was that by +the time Seth had agreed to make one of what we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span> +hoped would soon be a company of Minute Boys, +I proposed that we start immediately, not waiting +for more recruits lest opportunity for leaving the +city be lost.</p> + +<p>“But we have neither arms nor provisions,” +Archie Gordon objected, and it must be remembered +that immediately after the surrender of +Charleston squads of red-coated soldiers had +marched up this street and down that searching +every house for weapons and ammunition, seizing +upon everything of such nature as could be found.</p> + +<p>“We had better go off unarmed and hungry, +than not go at all,” I replied quickly, at the same +time glancing toward Gabriel in the hope that he +might read in my face somewhat of the distrust +which was in my heart; but, honest even to a +fault as he was, he failed to take the hint, and on +the instant began arguing with me as to why we +should delay our departure for at least eight and +forty hours.</p> + +<p>All the reasons for delay which Gabriel and +Archie brought up were good, and not to be combated +by me justly, for it seemed little less than +folly for four lads to set off empty-handed, with +no plausible pretext for such a journey, and take +every risk of being arrested by the first of the +king’s troops whom they might come across.</p> + +<p>Gabriel claimed that by delaying no more than +four and twenty hours we could enlist a full dozen +lads, and in the meanwhile, perhaps, gain possession +of arms, all of which I knew to be true.</p> + +<p>Archie insisted that even though we were able to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> +join General Marion as we counted on, it would +be a sorry reception we should receive, for, without +weapons and lacking food, we might be an incumbrance +rather than assistance to the cause.</p> + +<p>I fancied that Seth, after listening to these well-founded +arguments, and as it seemed to me turning +them over fully in his mind, was unduly eager +for delay, all of which I attributed to his desire to +play us some trick which would prove our undoing.</p> + +<p>Therefore did I insist all the more strongly that +we set off without the delay of a single minute, +urging the matter so vehemently that it was as if +they grew weary with trying to convince me of my +own folly, and agreed to start whenever I should +say the word.</p> + +<p>Then it was that I showed myself a fool beyond +question, for, having gained the point, I should +have carried out the plan fully even as I had shown +myself eager to do; but at the last moment, when +there was no refusal on the part of my comrades, +and even Seth Hastings seemed willing to abide by +the decision, I played the simple.</p> + +<p>Having suddenly grown timid at the thought of +setting off without so much as would serve to sustain +life during four and twenty hours, I proposed +that we separate to gather up such food as might +be got at immediately, meeting an hour later at the +place where Archie said the skiff was hidden.</p> + +<p>I, who had been so suspicious, and the only one +to distrust Seth, had in the very moment of persuading +my comrades to do as I desired, given him +every opportunity to play the traitor, for surely an<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span> +hour was as good as four and twenty if he was +disposed to work us harm.</p> + +<p>However, in my thick-headedness I failed to take +heed of this fact, even though to this day it puzzles +me to understand how I should have been such a +blunderer, and believed that he, like the other members +of the party, would spend all his time collecting +so much in the way of provisions as might +serve to save us from actual suffering.</p> + +<p>Strange though it may seem, when I left that +traitorous hound who agreed to be at the rendezvous +sixty minutes later, there was no thought in +my mind as to the possibility which I had allowed +for treason, nor did the idea occur to me while I +was hurrying here and there gathering such few +articles as might be come at handily, for we were +not overly well provided with provisions in those +days after the occupation of the city by the British, +when the red-coated soldiers had taken everything +they could lay their hands on.</p> + +<p>Left in charge of my home, not with any idea +that he could protect it or prevent the king’s hirelings +from working their will with the property, +was an old slave, a negro who had been born on +my grandfather’s plantation, and in whom I could +trust as in my own people. To him I explained +what it was my purpose to do, and after we two +had gathered up such store of cooked food as I +might carry conveniently, he thrust into my hands +a pistol, explaining that my father had unintentionally +left it behind when he set off so hurriedly for +St. John’s Parish. The weapon was charged; but,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span> +so old Simon assured me, there was neither powder +nor ball in the house save so much as the steel +barrel contained.</p> + +<p>My home was at the corner of Elizabeth and +Charlotte Streets facing Wragg Square, and when I +set off with old Simon’s prayers that no harm might +befall me ringing in my ears, my intention was to go +down Chapel Street to Concord, and thence to +Reid Street, where I could gain the water-front +at the wharf which jutted out near Fort Washington.</p> + +<p>It was only at the latter portion of the journey +that danger to my plans might be anticipated, for +there would I meet a strong British guard, who +would or would not, as their fancy dictated, detain +me, and the fancy of those royal troops at times +was something to be greatly feared.</p> + +<p>Only two persons did I meet during this distance, +which was traversed by me as rapidly as possible, +and I was by no means surprised because our +people failed to be abroad, for in those dark days +we who struggled against the king hid like rats in +their holes, while our city was in possession of the +enemy.</p> + +<p>It was when I arrived within sight of the fort +that my heart came into my throat, knowing that +now was the critical moment, yet had I spent many +days pondering over a plan, I could not have laid +the time for departure more happily, for when I +came near the fortification the noonday meal had +just been portioned out to the soldiers, and they +were so busily employed in ministering to their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span> +swine-like appetites as to give no heed to a boy +like me.</p> + +<p>“It is a good omen,” I said to myself as I +gained the water’s edge without having been challenged, +and then again did I prove myself a simple, +for he who trades upon the future, claiming that +the past is any proof of that which is to come, has +indeed lost his wits.</p> + +<p>I arrived at the rendezvous triumphant and +serene in mind, a good five minutes before the time +appointed, but found Gabriel Marion already awaiting +me. He looked dejected, as if matters had +gone awry, and I asked laughingly, for at the moment +my spirits were high:</p> + +<p>“Have you failed to find anything that can be +eaten, lad?” and he replied with a mournful shake +of the head:</p> + +<p>“I am too much of a stranger in the city to be +able to burst into a house uninvited and demand +provisions. It was useless for me to go to your +home, which I have called mine since coming to +Charleston, for I knew you would bring away from +there everything which might be of benefit to us, +and where could I have gone in the hope of getting +that which we need? Therefore have I come +empty-handed, save for so much of powder and +lead as you see in this bag.”</p> + +<p>He held toward me a small sack which might +have contained a quart at the most, and was now +more than one-third filled.</p> + +<p>“That is a richer find than you believed, +Gabriel,” I said cheerily, at the same time producing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> +the pistol old Simon had given me, “for we +should be able to cut the bullets to fit these barrels, +and although only a toy like this may not count +for much against the king’s weapons, it is better +than being empty-handed.”</p> + +<p>Then I showed him my store of provisions, +which, small though it was, might suffice not very +hungry boys for two meals, and he seemed to think +we were fairly well supplied.</p> + +<p>“I cannot but believe, Rufus, that it is unwise +thus to start off so suddenly and so unprepared,” +he said, pulling aside the bushes which grew near +a small creek making up from the river, disclosing +to view the skiff of which Archie had spoken. “It +would have been different if we knew that some +important movement was near at hand, but thus to +set off as if our friends needed us most urgently, +giving no heed to what we might carry which +would advantage them as well as ourselves, appears +to me much like folly.”</p> + +<p>Then it was I explained why I had argued for +a hurried departure, repeating that the desire to +get away was great owing to the distrust in my +mind regarding Seth Hastings, and when I was +come to an end, he, opening his eyes full upon me, +exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“And with all that in your heart you have given +him an opportunity to play the traitor, if so be he +is inclined that way!”</p> + +<p>Again I repeat that not until this moment did I +realize the fact, and then like a flood came upon +me all the suspicions which had been mine a short<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> +hour previous. Like the simple that I was, I would +have given way to words of self-reproach and +anger, but that he hushed me by laying his hand +on my arm as he said:</p> + +<p>“There is no good reason why you add to your +folly, if folly it was, for such mischief as Seth may +be willing to do has already been brought about. +Yet, Rufus, I cannot agree with you that the lad +would do such a thing. Why should he betray us +who never did him any wrong? Why should he +be willing to deliver into prison-ships boys like us, +when it cannot benefit him one jot? It is no crime +that, because of some weakness, he is unable to +look a fellow squarely in the face. There are many +of us who have mannerisms disagreeable to others, +and yet we would feel aggrieved if they were set +down, as you account Seth’s, like actual crimes.”</p> + +<p>I began to grow ashamed of myself under +Gabriel’s quiet and convincing reasoning, and just +then Archie Gordon joined us, bearing on his +shoulder a well-filled sack which told how successful +he had been in his search for provisions.</p> + +<p>“Huzza for Archie!” I cried, forgetting for +the moment all that which had caused me uneasiness +of mind. “How does it chance that you were allowed +to come through the streets with such a +burden?”</p> + +<p>“It is neither more nor less than good fortune, +William Rufus,” the lad replied laughingly, and +then, as if it was necessary I prove myself a simple +in every possible way on that day, I took offence +at the name he had put upon me, spending many<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span> +a precious moment trying to convince him it might +be dangerous sport to thus jest at what I had almost +come to believe was my misfortune.</p> + +<p>In this senseless manner I must have spent ten +minutes or more, heeding not the fact that it was +Archie who had brought us the provisions of which +we stood sorely in need. No one can say how long +my foolish tongue might have argued on the subject, +had not Gabriel Marion, cool-headed lad that +he was, insisted we could settle all disputes while +paddling up the river, but Archie cried, as I ran +toward the skiff with the intention of leaping in:</p> + +<p>“We have yet to wait for Seth! It may be he +is having better fortune than either of us, and we +will set out on our journey as well equipped as if +having spent a week in preparation.”</p> + +<p>“There he comes now,” Gabriel said, pointing up +Reid Street, and as he spoke he stepped aboard the +skiff in readiness to push off.</p> + +<p>I was so deeply occupied with the offence committed +by Archie in calling me William Rufus, +that I did not follow with my eyes the direction +indicated by Gabriel’s outstretched finger, but +leaped aboard the craft, having no more than +cleared the gunwale when Archie cried in an accent +of terror:</p> + +<p>“He is coming; but pursued by four redcoats!”</p> + +<p>Then it was that all the fear which had possessed +me a short time previous returned with greater +force, for instead of believing the boy was chased +by the soldiers, I understood as clearly as if he +himself had shouted to apprise us of the fact, that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> +his delay had been caused solely in order he might +give information of that which we would do.</p> + +<p>“The cowardly traitor!” I cried in a frenzy +of rage. “He has played us false, and is bringing +the bloody-backs down to take us prisoners!”</p> + +<p>I was conscious, without raising my eyes to look, +that Archie gave a quick glance over his shoulder, +and then, dropping the precious sack of provisions, +he leaped into the skiff, pushing it off at the same +moment I gathered sufficient of wit to pick up a +paddle in order to shove the light craft farther out +into the current.</p> + +<p>I question if either of us three lads realized that +we were proving to the redcoats that our purpose +was such as would not stand before the scrutiny of +their officers—that we were really outlawing ourselves +with but little hope of escape, when it would +seem wiser if we stood boldly before them, for there +was nothing in the bag nor on our persons which +could give color to any story Seth Hastings might +have told.</p> + +<p>However, we had begun the flight, and neither +questioned the wisdom of so doing, although we +knew that before sixty seconds had passed the +redcoats would fire upon us.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II<br> + +<small>THE PURSUIT</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> has already been said, I seized one of the +paddles immediately upon jumping aboard the +skiff, and when Archie Gordon shoved off the frail +craft he possessed himself of the blade which lay in +the bow of the boat.</p> + +<p>It is hardly necessary to say that neither of us +needed urging, but began to send the light craft +ahead at the fastest possible pace, and Gabriel +Marion was not one whit behind us in making +ready for the flight. When he would have joined +his efforts to ours, however, thus making it necessary +for us to work two paddles on one side with +only one opposite them, I said in a tone no wise +like a command, but rather as a suggestion:</p> + +<p>“You had best give all your mind to steering, +Gabriel, for we shall make better speed, Archie and +I, if it is not necessary for us to look to the +course.”</p> + +<p>And he, mindful of others, as the dear lad ever +was, whispered warningly:</p> + +<p>“Bend as low to your work as possible, for we +are like to have a shower of lead when the bloody-backs +shall have come up from behind the bushes.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span>Desperate as our strait was, and knowing full +well our very lives depended upon the efforts we +made at that time, I ventured to look back over my +shoulder in order to learn what that traitorous +Seth Hastings might be doing, and at the same +time to register a vow that if God spared my life +I would some day repay him in full for this piece +of wanton treachery.</p> + +<p>The cur was hanging back behind the soldiers +whom he had piloted, as if fearing we might make +some attack and his precious skin thereby receive +injury, while the redcoats were pushing on as +eagerly as dogs do after a fox, unslinging their +muskets as they came, and I whispered, to give +greater emphasis to Gabriel’s warning:</p> + +<p>“We are like to catch it hot precious soon now, +for the bloody-backs are making ready to fire.”</p> + +<p>“Save your breath, lad, save your breath! +Whatsoever we may say now will not change the +situation by a hair’s breadth, and verily are we +needing both strength and wind if, peradventure, +they fail to hit all three of us at the first volley.”</p> + +<p>Never before, even while engaged in a friendly +contest of skill, had I worked so desperately at the +paddle. It was a stout ashen blade, yet it bent like +a bow betwixt the resistance of the water and the +pressure of my hands; at another time, when the +stakes were less than life itself, I could not have +hoped to curve the wood however slightly. I dare +venture to say that Archie Gordon was putting +forth every ounce of his strength even as I was +of mine, for the lad had good pluck and a strong<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span> +arm, together with sufficient of temper to lend fictitious +vigor at such a moment.</p> + +<p>Save as I have already set down, our flight was +made in silence, except for the music of the water +as it rippled against the sides of the skiff, telling of +the speed we were making, and although less than +a minute had really elapsed since we pushed out +into the current, it seemed to me that a full quarter +of an hour must have sped before we heard the +rattle of musketry and the singing of the bullets +as they passed above our heads.</p> + +<p>The king’s men overshot their mark, otherwise +the aim was good, for had the weapons been depressed +ever so little some of the missiles must +have found their billets in our bodies.</p> + +<p>Once the muskets had been discharged I felt a +sense of wondrous relief, for now must we have +a respite during such time as would be required +for the enemy to recharge the weapons, and I +laughed aloud even while expending every ounce +of strength upon the paddle, whereat Gabriel said +in a tone of irritation:</p> + +<p>“The situation may not be so comical when next +they fire,” and Archie replied in a tone that warmed +my heart:</p> + +<p>“They won’t shoot until after having reloaded, +and we will crow while we have the opportunity.” +Then, half-turning, he shouted over his shoulder +to that miserable cur of a Seth Hastings, “If it +so be we give your hounds the slip this time, Seth, +my boy, I’ll undertake to come back to Charleston as +soon as may be—surely before any other can take<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span> +your precious life, and repay the score which you +have set for us to wipe out.”</p> + +<p>No fellow could have resisted the temptation, +however great the need of his laboring at the paddle, +to look back in order to note what effect these +words had upon the traitor, and, glancing at him +an instant, I fancied I saw, even at such a distance, +the gray pallor of fear come over his face. Certain +it is he slackened pace, while the soldiers, instead +of recharging their weapons, were making their +way along the shore at full speed in chase of us, +as if forgetting that it was upon their muskets and +not their legs they must rely.</p> + +<p>“Keep to your work, lads,” Gabriel whispered +warningly. “The cost of bantering words may +be too great, and we cannot afford to receive even +the slightest wound if peradventure it can be +avoided.”</p> + +<p>He had the right to take command at that moment, +for I question if he had turned his eyes ever +so slightly, however great was the provocation; but +kept his gaze straight up-stream that we might not +deviate from the direct course by so much as a +single inch. However, he knew full well that we +could not fail of being eager to know whether our +pursuers were gaining on us, and said after a brief +pause:</p> + +<p>“Work the paddles as you have begun, and we +may give them the slip, even though the odds seem +so great against us. I will tell you what they are +about.”</p> + +<p>Then, as we forced the light skiff ahead, literally<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span> +lifting her on the water, he called out whenever +there was any change in the situation, thus picturing +to us what we had no time to gaze at.</p> + +<p>“The soldiers are still running, and have not +stopped to reload their weapons—Seth Hastings +has turned about as if afraid to join in the chase—I +can see no craft along the shore, and yet it +must be the redcoats know of one, else why do +they continue on foot instead of recharging their +muskets? When one of you fellows gets winded, +change places with me, for this speed must not be +slackened! Now the bloody-backs have halted and +are reloading—one has taken aim! Crouch low, +boys! Crouch low!”</p> + +<p>Even as he spoke came the crackling of a weapon. +A bullet struck the gunwale of the skiff within two +inches of Archie’s hand, and I was dismayed because +only a single gun had been fired. If they +shot at us in a volley, the agony of anticipation +would soon be over, whereas if each fired when he +was ready we must be in continual apprehension +of being hit.</p> + +<p>“Look out now, another man is making ready!” +Gabriel continued, and a second later came the report +of his weapon, followed almost immediately +by a third and a fourth, whereat our helmsman +shouted as if victory was assured:</p> + +<p>“Every bullet went wild! They are getting too +much excited to be able to take aim! Keep the pace +five minutes longer, and I dare venture to say we +shall be out of range! Let me spell one of you +now!”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_p032a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p032a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">“‘FIVE MINUTES LONGER AND WE SHALL BE OUT OF RANGE!’”</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span>“Stay where you are!” I shouted hoarsely. +“We cannot afford to change places at such a time +as this!”</p> + +<p>I might go on telling of this chase until whosoever +may read would be wearied with the repetition +of words, and at the same time fail in attempting +to portray all the feverish excitement which +was ours during the short race, for it was as if I +lived an hour in every moment. Although perhaps +no more than ten minutes elapsed from the +time we swung the skiff out into the current until +the soldiers turned back, understanding it was folly +to pursue us further, it seemed to me as if the day +was already spent when Gabriel cried:</p> + +<p>“Take it easy, lads; we are free from that squad +at least, and if it so be the king has not in South +Carolina men who can shoot with truer aim, then +are we likely to live to a ripe old age, so far as +danger from leaden missiles is concerned.”</p> + +<p>It was high time the race had come to an end, +for I was so nearly spent with the frantic efforts +that it is a question whether I could have swung +the paddle a dozen times more, even though knowing +that my life depended upon the effort, and +Archie Gordon was in no better physical condition +than I, seeing which, Gabriel came amidships with +his steering paddle, continuing to force the light +craft ahead as he said cheerily:</p> + +<p>“Lie back and take it easy, lads, for I can well +do considerably more than stem this current,” and +he made his words good, paddling with rare skill; +it is no easy matter to keep a craft in the true direction<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> +with but one blade, for the best of boatmen +will send her yawing from side to side however +much they may struggle to prevent it.</p> + +<p>Archie and I sat in the bottom of the skiff limp +as rags, now the excitement was over, breathing +like broken-winded horses, but with a hymn of +thanksgiving in our hearts that we had escaped +from those who would have sent us to that which +was worse than death itself—the prison-ships; +and when it was possible for me to speak so that +the words could be understood by those who heard, +I said, as if believing myself the son of a prophet:</p> + +<p>“Who shall say now that we lads may not be +able to work benefit to the Cause, if at the very outset +of our attempt we have been able to thwart +the plan of a traitor while we ourselves were the +same as unarmed and caught in a trap? Surely +after arriving where we may be put on the footing +of soldiers, it will be possible for us to do men’s +work.”</p> + +<p>Well was it for me that we mortals are denied +the privilege of looking into the future, for if I +had known that one of us three lads was to meet +a treacherous death before we were well started +in our work as “Minute Boys,” then might I have +turned my back in dismay upon the task, and the +aid which we were enabled to give the Cause would +have been lacking at the very time when it was of +greatest avail.</p> + +<p>However, it is not for me to look forward while +setting down these poor accounts of what we lads +of South Carolina did, and although the grief is<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span> +as fresh in my heart now as on that terrible day, +I must strive to repress it in order that that which +I am trying to tell shall run on in proper sequence +of events.</p> + +<p>“We had best not crow too soon or too loudly,” +Archie Gordon said grimly. “Although we may +travel from here to Snow’s Island without further +difficulty, and then be able to accomplish all we +propose to do, there will be no good reason for +congratulations until we have served out that +cowardly traitor, who, without provocation, would +have compassed our death.”</p> + +<p>“If we are able to labor for the Cause it must +be with a singleness of purpose,” Gabriel Marion +said gravely, and one might have thought it was +his elder brother who spoke, for the tone and words +were not such as one would expect from a lad like +him. “I grant you that Seth Hastings must receive +due reward for what he has done; but so +long as the king’s soldiers remain in South Carolina, +so long must we put aside every thought save +that of driving them from the soil! And now, since +we have hardly but begun the long journey, and +have our faces turned toward many a danger, instead +of talking of revenge and boasting of our +escape, let us do all we may toward carrying out +this first portion of the plan Rufus has formed, as +a first step toward which, one of you had better +take a swing at the paddle, thus giving me a better +show of sending the craft ahead at proper pace.”</p> + +<p>“We will do better than that,” I cried, springing +to my feet, ashamed of having remained idle<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> +so long. “Neither Archie nor I need any more +coddling,” and even as I spoke our brave little +comrade dipped his paddle into the water once +more, causing the skiff to dash swiftly forward +again, heading as directly for our destination—Gabriel’s +home—as the winding of the channel +would permit.</p> + +<p>And now, lest I set down too many words in the +telling of what should be a short tale, I will make +no attempt at recording that which we said or did +while sailing up Cooper River, but content myself +with putting down the fact that shortly after daybreak +next morning we were come to the landing +which led to the house where my parents, as I have +already said, had found a refuge. Neither is it +necessary for me to describe the greetings which +were ours, nor how my heart swelled with pride +and joy as I heard my father say, even while +mother was pressing me to her bosom, as if I had +but lately come from the very jaws of death:</p> + +<p>“You and your companions have done well, +Rufus, to take upon yourselves the work of men. +In these times children must grow old rapidly that +they may fill the place and do the work of those +whom the king’s hirelings kill and maim.”</p> + +<p>It was as if I felt my mother shudder when +father spoke these words which told that he was +in full accord with our purpose to become soldiers, +but never a word of remonstrance did she utter. +Looking back now, I can understand that she resolutely +put far away the motherly love which would +shelter and protect her child, allowing us three<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> +lads to think she was only concerned in our welfare +as she busied herself either in giving orders, +or in performing the bitter work herself of preparing +an outfit for us who were to depart as soon as +might be.</p> + +<p>Father told us what we already knew, that General +Marion had gone to Snow’s Island, there to +await the gathering of such as were ready to join +him in the forlorn hope that we could beat back +the invader even while his hands were upon our +throat; and he advised that we remain where we +were during four and twenty hours, saying in explanation +of this advice, which might seem strange +when one knew all the exigencies of the situation:</p> + +<p>“It is hardly probable you can make all the +necessary arrangements in a shorter time, and, besides, +if you start from here fresh, the journey will +be made in better time than if you set out already +weary. I envy you, lads, the privilege of striking +a blow in defence of the Carolinas. Would to God +I might be able to play a man’s part, instead of +remaining here like some helpless child!”</p> + +<p>Then it was that Gabriel Marion deftly turned +the conversation, noting that my father was sorely +troubled because of his helplessness at a time when +men were so sadly needed, and asked whether it +was known if many had joined his brother, whereupon +my father replied:</p> + +<p>“I question if that be probable. Only Captain +Horry and half a dozen of the neighbors set off with +him. It may be that their numbers have been +doubled by this time, but I doubt if their force is<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> +much increased, for many there be in South Carolina, +I am ashamed to say, who deem it wiser at +this time to serve the king rather than their own +country.”</p> + +<p>Then we discussed as to which road it would be +wisest to follow, and father held consultation with +some of the older negroes who were familiar with +the swamp and the country near about, until by +nightfall we had not only mapped out a course, but +were provided with an outfit such as was not to be +despised in those days.</p> + +<p>Old Peter, one of General Marion’s house-servants, +had volunteered to act as our guide across +the swamp, and we accepted the service readily, +knowing that his master would be pleased at our +bringing him, while at the same time he could save +us many a needless mile in the journey.</p> + +<p>It was his advice that we strike across the country +to what was known as Charleston road, following +that boldly up until we came to the highway +leading to Indian Village, after which we would +take to the woods for a short cut to Snow’s Island. +By such a course we would come upon the different +ferries, and thus have no trouble in crossing the +streams unless, perchance, enemies were between us +and our destination.</p> + +<p>When one has fought and aided in the whipping +of a king backed by a great nation, when one has +stood a tiny atom in a ragged line of battle facing +the on-coming of well-drilled, well-equipped European +soldiers, and taken part in the crushing of +that great machine into a panic-stricken mob, filling<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span> +the brain with the heat of that fever which +comes in the excitement of battle, it is dull telling +simply of the march and of the bivouac. Perhaps +because I cannot yet be called a man I linger in the +setting down of that which we did where renown +was won, than as to how we made our peaceful +way from one part of the country to another. +Therefore, if I err in describing with too little detail +such part of my life while I was numbered +among the “Minute Boys of South Carolina,” as +were dull or uneventful, the fault must be set down +to my great desire to hurry forward into those +scenes of moment.</p> + +<p>It seems to me it should suffice if I say that on +the morning after our arrival at Gabriel Marion’s +home we departed. I need not say aught concerning +that last embrace of my mother’s, or repeat +father’s blessing, which he bestowed on us all.</p> + +<p>Old Peter, carrying even more of our stores +upon his aged back than was right, yet insisting +upon bearing the greater portion of the burden, +went on in advance as a guide, mounted on as +good a horse as either of us lads rode. We had +taken from General Marion’s plantation whatever +might advantage us in the work, for anything he +owned was at the service of his country. Thus it +was we journeyed like soldiers, in the saddle, +although we followed old Peter’s advice and carried +all our belongings upon our backs, the negro +arguing that at any moment we might come upon +the enemy, and in case of being forced to take to +the woods, where we could not use the horses, we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> +would not go empty-handed if preparations for +flight had been made in advance.</p> + +<p>It chafed me not a little that at the very outset +we should be preparing for defeat, but my father +had backed up old Peter, and Gabriel Marion +stoutly insisted that as we proposed to be good +soldiers, so should we obey the first commands +given by those who had the right to dictate—meaning +in this case my father, not old Peter.</p> + +<p>We rode on merrily, our only care being the +possible danger which might be in advance of us, +never dreaming of anything to be feared in the +rear; making the journey across country to the +Charleston road before the day was more than +half-spent, and halting at night less than a mile +south of Gardine’s Ferry.</p> + +<p>We spent no time in making camp, for none +was needed. The horses were picketed in a small +grove of cottonwood-trees, and we made a meal +from the cooked provisions which we brought with +us, after which every member of the party, even +including the guide, lay down upon the ground +wherever he pleased, giving no heed to keeping +guard, because in our ignorance we lost sight of +the possibility that the enemy might even at that +moment be near at hand.</p> + +<p>I question if it be not more wearying to spend +a day in the saddle, to one who had not ridden for +many months, than to walk during that length of +time. For my part, I was thoroughly tired out +when I threw myself upon the ground with no +more care as to a bed than to use my saddle for a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span> +pillow, and it was as if I had just composed myself +to rest when I drifted off into slumber-land.</p> + +<p>It seemed as if I had no more than closed my +eyes in rest when I was awakened by being shaken +violently, and on first returning to consciousness +I heard old Peter whispering in my ear:</p> + +<p>“Rouse up, Marse Randolph, I’se allowin’ dem +British sojers am near by.”</p> + +<p>I was awake on the instant, and then understood, +from the absence of the moon, which had +been shining when I fell asleep, that the night was +more than half-gone. My comrades were already +awake and on their feet, and Gabriel was saying +in an anxious whisper as I joined them:</p> + +<p>“It’s certain that a party of horsemen have gone +on up the road, for I heard the trample of hoofs +even as old Peter awakened me. It stands us in +hand to know whether they be friend or foe.”</p> + +<p>“Why should it concern us, if so be they travel +rapidly enough to keep out of our way?” I asked +like a simple, and Gabriel, true lad that he was, +replied gently when he would have been warranted +in speaking sharply:</p> + +<p>“We must know what lies ahead of us, else are +we like to ride into danger as do those who are +blindfolded.”</p> + +<p>“And how do you count on finding out?” I +asked irritably, for it vexed me to thus be deprived +of the rest I needed.</p> + +<p>“One of us must follow until it is certain the +strangers have not gone into camp, and at daybreak +the others may bring up the horses. I am<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> +ready to act as scout, and you fellows may lie down +again with the understanding that one or the other +stand guard during the remainder of the night. +Instead of showing ourselves worthy to become +soldiers, we have acted like children in making +camp as we did, for the first duty should have been +to station a sentinel.”</p> + +<p>“You shall not go on alone,” I said, now ashamed +because of having given heed only to my own desires, +and Archie stoutly claimed the right to go +with us.</p> + +<p>We might have argued on this question until +another day had come, had not Gabriel said hurriedly:</p> + +<p>“Since neither of you will take advantage of +the opportunity to sleep, we’ll all go, and if by daylight +old Peter has heard nothing concerning us, +he shall come up the road with the horses.”</p> + +<p>As Gabriel said, so we did, and with our weapons +charged, for we had left General Marion’s plantation +fully equipped, we advanced swiftly, yet with +due heed lest we overrun the quarry, leaving behind +old Peter in a very disagreeable frame of +mind, for his last words were a complaint that he +was to be left in the rear when it was his duty to +lead the way.</p> + +<p>Not until we had travelled twenty minutes or +more did I ask myself what was to be done in case +we learned that the horsemen who had passed our +camping-place were soldiers, and then I put the +question to Gabriel.</p> + +<p>“That shall be decided later,” he replied quietly,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> +and one would have fancied he had been bred to +the trade of a soldier, so calm and collected was he +at this time when we might be running our necks +into a noose. “If the party is made up of bloody-backs +we may be certain they have learned of +General Marion’s whereabouts, and are hoping to +entrap him, in which event we must make a détour +in order to gain the advance, that we may warn +those who are at Snow’s Island. In case it should +be so that we might, without too much risk, make +a capture, why, then, I say, let us take such prisoners +as is in our power, and, on arriving at the rendezvous, +have something to prove our ability to act +the part of soldiers.”</p> + +<p>It seemed to me that our business was to arrive +at Snow’s Island as quickly as might be, without +any regard for prisoners or picking up information; +but plainly Gabriel was fitted to be the commander +of our little party, and I held my peace, although +stoutly rebelling at the idea of undertaking the +trade of a soldier before having made other preparations +than that of arming ourselves.</p> + +<p>After this brief conversation we continued on in +silence, but at a rapid pace, and soon came to know +that those in advance were in no great haste to +arrive at their destination, for we heard the hoof-beats +of horses in the distance, and once more +Gabriel said:</p> + +<p>“We will follow without making any attempt +to overtake them, during an hour or more, and +then if there is no change we must close up, for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span> +I am not minded to walk at their heels like a dog +until daybreak.”</p> + +<p>He had no more than ceased speaking when the +sounds in the distance increased, and I came to +a halt without waiting for orders; but Archie Gordon +forced me on as he whispered:</p> + +<p>“They are making camp, most likely, and now +will we have the opportunity of finding out who +they are, if so be we press on before they lie down.”</p> + +<p>Gabriel spoke no word, but, taking each of us by +the arm, plunged straight into the bushes for twenty +yards or more, and then advanced cautiously until +it was possible for us to hear the sound of voices.</p> + +<p>Now we wormed our way amid the foliage like +Indians, taking care lest the breaking of a dry twig +beneath our feet should betray us, and before ten +minutes had passed were where we could see a +portion of the party we had been pursuing.</p> + +<p>A small fire was already built, and around it were +gathered four or five men clad in the uniform of +the king’s soldiers, while here and there amid the +bushes which grew close down to the side of the +road, flitted dark figures not to be distinguished +in the gloom, but which we knew were others of +the enemy.</p> + +<p>“What are they doing here?” Archie asked, as +if he had forgotten we were on the road leading +from Charleston, and Gabriel replied in a hoarse +whisper:</p> + +<p>“The chances are they have been sent to Snow’s +Island, or else are in pursuit of us.”</p> + +<p>“That last can hardly be true,” I said, again<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span> +showing how simple I was. “The British commander +would not think it necessary to send out so +large a party for three unarmed boys.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, but suspecting, as they must if Seth Hastings +told them my name, that we are bound for +General Marion’s rendezvous, it would be only wise +to send a sufficient force to capture all the rebels +that might be found at the end of the journey.”</p> + +<p>With this Gabriel crept yet nearer the camp-fire, +and we followed him, moving ever so slowly, but +halting not until having come within twenty feet or +less, when it was possible to distinguish some of +the words which were spoken.</p> + +<p>As we lay there, hardly daring to breathe lest our +presence should be betrayed, many of those who +had been caring for the horses joined their comrades, +and all appeared to be in the best of humor, +but to our disappointment nothing was said regarding +the purpose of their journey. Therefore we +remained as much in the dark as before until suddenly +there came between us and the glare of the +camp-fire a figure which caused me to grip Gabriel’s +arm fiercely even as Archie Gordon’s hand was +pressing upon my shoulder as if he would bury his +nails in my flesh.</p> + +<p>Little wonder was it that we were filled with both +surprise and alarm at the sight of this newcomer, +for he was none other than that villainous renegade, +Seth Hastings! It needed now no word from +the men to tell us why they were here. That Seth +had explained who Gabriel was, there could be no +question, and because the cur was ignorant of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> +fact that my mother and father had fled to General +Marion’s plantation, he had supposed we were making +directly for Snow’s Island.</p> + +<p>That the whelp had offered his services as guide +there was not the slightest doubt in my mind, and +yet even at that time, when my anger and surprise +were so great as to be nearly overwhelming, I asked +myself again and again why it was that he, who +had professed friendship for all three of us lads, +should be doing what was in his power to compass +our death. He was pursuing us like an avenger, +and yet, rack my brain as I might, I could think +of no act, however trifling, which he might have +construed as against himself.</p> + +<p>It was while I lay thus in a maze of perplexity, +and perhaps fear, that Gabriel Marion pressed my +hand significantly as he began to retrace his way +through the bushes, and, as a matter of course, +Archie and I followed, although it seemed to both +of us at the time as if it were wiser to remain +within sight of that villainous cur in the hope of +putting a speedy end to his evil-doing.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER III<br> + +<small>RECRUITS</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Not</span> until we were so far from the redcoats’ +camp that there could be no danger our words +might be overheard, however hot the discussion +which was to ensue should become, did Gabriel +halt, and I was eager to take advantage of this +first opportunity of showing disapproval at our +thus beating a retreat, as it were.</p> + +<p>“It’s not for me to say what you and Archie shall +do,” Gabriel began immediately he halted, and +before I could so much as give words to the petulant +thoughts in my mind. “As for myself, I see +no good reason why we should linger near that encampment, +and much cause for leaving as soon as +possible.”</p> + +<p>“Now you are answering a protest which has +come into your own mind,” I cried, not a little +irritated because he had taken the words out of my +mouth, and he replied quietly:</p> + +<p>“Ay, William Rufus, that is exactly what I am +doing, for even though the night is none too light, +I can see that you are disgruntled because I led +you away from a place of danger. It needs not +that you shall at all times proclaim your dissatisfaction<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> +by words, for I can read much of what is +in your mind by the movement of your body.”</p> + +<p>“And you would not have read my thought so +easily but for the fact that you yourself must have +questioned whether it was fitting for lads who count +on becoming soldiers, to turn tail at the first show +of danger,” I replied hotly, and he irritated me yet +further by saying, in what sounded to me like a +tone of superiority:</p> + +<p>“How would it have advantaged us in any way +to lie hidden in front of yonder camp-fire watching +the redcoats and that miserable cur, Seth Hastings? +Was the picture so inviting that you would linger +in order to gaze upon it? And when it was come +daylight, if so be you loitered till then, what about +the chance of your being discovered when old Peter +brings up the horses, for I dare venture to say the +negro will start at the first crack of dawn if we +have not then returned?”</p> + +<p>“How would it advantage us?” I cried hotly, +allowing myself to be angered because in that time +of danger he remembered to call me “William +Rufus.” “By remaining there we might perchance +have learned the destination of the troop, which +seems necessary, since the force is travelling in the +same direction we desire to go.”</p> + +<p>“But we know as much as is needed,” Archie +Gordon broke in, and I understood on the instant +that he approved of Gabriel’s plan, whatever it +might be. “That Seth Hastings is with the men +tells beyond a doubt, at least so it seems to me, that +they are heading for the rendezvous selected by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span> +General Marion, in the hope of capturing not only +him, but us lads as well.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, Archie Gordon, there you have hit the +nail squarely as I would have struck it,” Gabriel +chimed in. “There was no reason for us to linger +longer after having seen that traitorous cur, and +good cause, as the matter presents itself to my +mind, for us to make all speed with our backs +turned toward the enemy.”</p> + +<p>“To what end?” I asked impatiently, and he +replied, clapping me on the shoulder in a friendly +way such as made me ashamed of my petulance.</p> + +<p>“To the end that we may push on while there +is opportunity to make the détour, if so be old +Peter agrees that it may be done between now and +daylight. If we can arrive at Snow’s Island a +few hours in advance of the British troops, and +surely we should be able to do so with such horses +as we have, then do we make doubly sure of receiving +a hearty welcome, because the information +we bring will be valuable to my brother.”</p> + +<p>Even before he had finished the somewhat +lengthy explanation I understood he was in the +right, as indeed I ever found him to be, for Gabriel +Marion was one of those rare lads who argues +out a matter with himself before giving an opinion.</p> + +<p>From that moment, until we were arrived at the +place where old Peter was awaiting us patiently, +no further arguments were indulged in, and I left +to Gabriel the duty of acquainting the negro with +all we had learned. It was evident that Peter had +a far better idea of the situation than I had shown<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span> +to be mine when finding fault with Gabriel because +of beating a retreat, for he appeared to recognize +without discussion the necessity of circling around +the enemy to gain an advance, and in order to +accomplish such purpose was most particular in his +inquiries regarding the location of the halting-place.</p> + +<p>Gabriel felt positive the enemy was a full quarter +of a mile to the southward of the ferry, and Peter, +after taking ample time to consider the matter, but +in the meanwhile saddling the horses that no +precious moments might be lost, announced that it +was possible to do the trick if we should leave the +highway we were then on, striking across the country +until having arrived at the Santee road, and +then go down to the ferry; but he admitted that by +so doing there was a grave possibility of our coming +upon the enemy, if peradventure we had made +any mistake as to the location of the encampment.</p> + +<p>“To my mind, we are in duty bound to take the +chances, however opposed we may personally be +to such a plan,” Gabriel said, as he mounted his +horse. “The information which we may be able +to carry to Snow’s Island is so important that we +are warranted in running any risk, for the life of +one or of all of us, as compared with the advantage +which can be gained for the Cause, is as nothing. +Is it your mind that we shall push on without +delay?”</p> + +<p>He turned to me while asking this question, and +there was no longer the slightest tinge of impatience +in my tone as I replied:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span>“It is for you to act the leader, Gabriel Marion, +for surely there be none other in this party so well +able to take command.”</p> + +<p>Having said this, I also mounted, to show my +readiness to set off without further delay, and old +Peter needed no words to tell him that the moment +had come when he was to act the part of guide in +good truth. Therefore he set off in advance, striking +directly into the undergrowth, where our horses, +although finding some difficulty in making their +way, managed to maintain a fairly good rate of +speed during two hours, when we came upon the +Santee road, much to my surprise, for I had fancied +the distance to be greater.</p> + +<p>Once upon the highway, Gabriel leaped from the +saddle and began tearing the one blanket which he +carried into strips, as if he had suddenly lost his +senses.</p> + +<p>“We must do what we may toward muffling the +sound of the horses’ hoofs on the beaten road,” he +said hurriedly, and in a twinkling all three of us +began the same task, for there was no need of +further explanation.</p> + +<p>Within ten minutes, for we worked to disadvantage +in the night, having no cord with which to tie +the muffling on the horses’ feet, and then as fast as +the steeds could be urged forward, for the woollen +foot-covering crippled them to a certain extent, we +rode toward the ferry, breathing quick with the +excitement of the moment, because each step was +bringing us nearer to a possible encounter, when +the odds would be heavily against us.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span>As nearly as I could judge, there were yet two +hours of the night remaining, and it seemed to me +as if we were in a fair way of accomplishing our +purpose, when suddenly, and at the very moment +while I was congratulating myself upon Gabriel’s +foresight in hastening matters as he had, there +came from the bushes on the side of the road fifty +paces or more in advance of us, the thrilling cry:</p> + +<p>“Halt, or we shall fire!”</p> + +<p>Following this could be heard sounds of command, +as if the unseen speaker was stationing a +heavy force on either side of the road to enforce +his demands.</p> + +<p>On the instant my heart sank like lead, for I had +no doubt but that we had come upon a considerable +body of the enemy. It was reasonable to suppose +that he who had spoken was the leader of the same +party we had spied upon, and a similar thought +must have been in Gabriel Marion’s mind, for I +heard him cry half to himself:</p> + +<p>“What stupids we were to so miscalculate the +location of the halting-place!”</p> + +<p>As a matter of course we obeyed the command +on the instant, there being nothing else left to do, +for our party of four would have shown themselves +little less than idiots to have made any +attempt at riding down so formidable a body as +was apparently directly in advance of us, and flight +seemed equally fruitless. As I pulled my horse to +a standstill there came to my eyes a picture of the +prison-ships as I had seen them lying at anchor in +Charleston harbor, and I could have cried aloud<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> +in grief because of this sudden end which was put +to our undertaking.</p> + +<p>When we were come to a halt, remaining in the +saddles without making any show of unslinging +the muskets which were strapped across our backs, +the same voice we had first heard, cried out, and I +fancied that there was a difference in the tone, as +if the speaker was inclined to be friendly:</p> + +<p>“Who are you, and what is your purpose here?”</p> + +<p>Had I considered myself in command of our +little force, I should have been such a simple to +have made some effort toward concealing our identity, +but not so with Gabriel Marion. He realized +that the truth of whatsoever we might say could +speedily be proven or disproven, and he replied +readily:</p> + +<p>“We are three lads escaped from the British at +Charleston, who hope to arrive at a rendezvous +appointed by an officer in the Continental Army. +We have with us as guide an old negro, and are +striving to gain the ferry before a force of the +enemy encamped on the Charleston road near at +hand shall arrive there.”</p> + +<p>I thought of a verity that if there had been any +possibility of our escaping the prison-ships, this +answer had destroyed it, and friend though he was, +I could have dealt Gabriel such a blow as would +have sent him headlong from the saddle, because +of what I believed was stupidity. Therefore it is +that my astonishment may at least be faintly imagined, +when I saw in the gloom of the night two +small figures come hurriedly from out the screen<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> +of bushes, advancing toward us as if overjoyed +at the meeting, and I heard Archie Gordon cry half +in delight, half in fear:</p> + +<p>“Are you lads of South Carolina?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that we are,” the foremost of the strangers +replied, hastening forward until he stood where +he could look up into Gabriel Marion’s face. “We +are making for the same rendezvous, if so be you +have told us the truth.”</p> + +<p>It did not require many seconds for me to gather +my scattered senses, and when this was done I +realized how crafty these two had been to thus halt +us, giving the impression that they were strong in +numbers, for I could now understand, from seeing +none others, that they alone had made such a show +of force.</p> + +<p>Gabriel, bending over until he could see clearly +the face of the lad who stood near him, said quietly, +even as though he had been expecting such a meeting:</p> + +<p>“This, if I mistake not, is one of the Marshall +lads, whose home is near about Eutaw Springs?”</p> + +<p>“And you are General Marion’s brother!” the +boy cried in joyful surprise.</p> + +<p>Then it was that we dismounted, and but a short +time was needed in which to make each acquainted +with the purpose of the other. These brave lads, +having heard of the call sent out by General +Marion, were hastening thus alone to obey the +summons, so much of courage and a desire to aid +the Cause was in their hearts. They had counted +on taking with them four prisoners when they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> +heard us approach. It was a gallant deed, and I +took somewhat of the credit to myself because they +were South Carolinians.</p> + +<p>When the Marshall boys—Edward and Joseph—had +learned what it was our purpose to do, +they proposed to join us as Minute Boys rather +than enlist directly under General Marion’s command, +and thus we lads, who had but a few seconds +previous believed we were doomed to imprisonment, +gained two recruits of such metal as was +needed in the organization.</p> + +<p>It can well be understood that we did not waste +much time after the explanations had been made, +but pressed forward toward the ferry once more, +as soon as the new recruits had muffled the feet of +their horses, and I said to Archie Gordon as we +rode along side by side:</p> + +<p>“If it were possible to come across four or five +more like these lads who have just joined us, we +might be in shape to gather in those who are guided +by that traitorous cur,” and he replied, as if the idea +gave him great pleasure:</p> + +<p>“Ay, and it would be an adventure worth thinking +about were we alone in this section of the +country; but as it is, with our friends at Snow’s +Island ignorant of what is going on near about, I +am of the opinion that however strong we might +grow by reason of additional recruits, there could +be no fair excuse for making any such attempt.”</p> + +<p>Now we had guides in plenty, for the Marshall +boys were better acquainted with this section of the +country than was Peter, and instead of making for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span> +the ferry, where there was even chance we might +find some of the troopers posted on guard, they +proposed that we make a short cut to a point on +the river fully half a mile above Gardine’s Ferry, +where they believed we could swim the horses +across.</p> + +<p>The only danger in such a crossing was that we +would be obliged to travel over a considerable extent +of swamp, but this both they and old Peter +believed would be more advisable than taking the +chances of meeting the enemy at the ferry.</p> + +<p>As had been agreed upon, so we did, and although +more than once after gaining the opposite +bank of the stream did it seem possible the horses +would be mired, we were so far successful that +when the first glimpse of the coming day appeared +in the eastern sky we were on the highway, riding +swiftly toward that crossing of the Black River +known as Potato Ferry.</p> + +<p>From this moment it was as if all the difficulties +had been removed from our path. When the sun +set we were at Britain’s Ferry, on the bank of the +Great Pedee River, and Snow’s Island was barely +four miles away; but, owing to the darkness, +Gabriel believed we were warranted in remaining +where we were rather than in attempting to go +down the stream, for daylight was needed in crossing +to the rendezvous.</p> + +<p>This time when we made camp we took hourly +turns of standing watch, and when another day +was come, after partaking of a hurried meal, we +set out, arriving at our destination not without considerable<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span> +difficulty, owing to the fact that none of +us knew the exact trail which would give us good +footing, but yet suffering no more of hardships +than might have been expected, and certainly none +worth setting down here.</p> + +<p>The day was yet young when finally we stood +before General Marion to receive from him the +heartiest greeting lads could ask for, and even old +Peter came in for his full share.</p> + +<p>The general had at this time no more than twenty +men, well armed, but, as we afterward learned, +with only a scanty store of provisions, and all this +company gathered around us to learn the latest news +from Charleston. Little did they dream that our +arrival would be a signal for the first attack on the +enemy since the fall of the city.</p> + +<p>They were plunged in deepest grief when told +of the wholesale arrests made by the British commander, +Sir Henry Clinton, and each had some +question to ask regarding the bearing of this or of +that citizen while being marched through the streets +of Charleston to where boats were taken for the +prison-ships.</p> + +<p>Gabriel, acting as our spokesman, as was indeed +his right, since we two tacitly agreed to recognize +him as leader, gave all the information possible, +and not until this little band of patriots had finished +with their questioning did he speak of our adventure +on the Charleston road. Then, as may be +fancied, every member of the company was +wrought up to the highest pitch of excitement, for +if the word which we brought was true, then could<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span> +they see in the near future an opportunity for striking +a blow in retaliation.</p> + +<p>General Marion questioned us particularly concerning +the number of the men, and as to whether +the company was made up of Tories or British +soldiers, and to this question we could give no satisfactory +reply. True it is that we had seen by the +light of the camp-fire none save those who wore the +red uniform, but we knew full well there were +others hidden from our view by the bushes, therefore +it was well within the range of possibility that +the soldiers had in their company many Tories.</p> + +<p>That which puzzled our friends was the same +question as we had asked ourselves many times: +Why Seth Hastings had thus suddenly and openly +shown himself an enemy to the Cause, and why was +he so eager that we lads be made prisoners?</p> + +<p>It was a question which no one could answer +satisfactorily, and General Marion put an end to +our speculations by saying in a tone of pleasure:</p> + +<p>“Before to-morrow morning, if indeed you are +not mistaken as to the destination of the company, +we will have in our keeping this Seth Hastings who +has shown himself such a violent friend of the +king’s, and I doubt not that you lads may be able +to get the desired information from him.”</p> + +<p>“Will you make an attack upon the company?” +Gabriel asked quickly and eagerly.</p> + +<p>“I think we shall, lad, and regardless of their +numbers, else why have we gathered here?”</p> + +<p>“But they are in reasonably large force,” I ventured<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> +to say, and the young general answered +stoutly:</p> + +<p>“Though they outnumbered us three to one, yet +would we do it, so that every man among us might +strike an effective blow, for it is work of such +nature that will bring more recruits to the rendezvous +than could be persuaded to join our forlorn +hope under any other circumstances.”</p> + +<p>Then the commander of this “ragged regiment,” +as the king’s soldiers were afterward pleased to +term the company, turned away with Captain +Horry, whom we soon came to learn was looked +upon as second in command of this slender force, +and the remainder of the party plied us with questions +concerning what we had seen and heard since +we fled from Charleston, until I was fairly weary +with so much tongue-wagging.</p> + +<p>Less than an hour after we arrived I observed +that Captain Horry and another man crossed the +river in one of the dugouts which were concealed +along the shore of the swamp, and because they +went on foot I knew full well they had gone to +learn what might be possible regarding the approach +of the enemy.</p> + +<p>With this departure the men left off questioning +us, to make ready for the encounter which they +had every reason to believe was near at hand, and +we, who had already begun to call ourselves Minute +Boys, made a survey of this island which was +destined to become the headquarters of as active a +body of rangers as ever did service for the Colonies.</p> + +<p>As I have already said, it was situated just below<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> +the point where Lynch’s Creek flows into the Pedee, +and to my surprise I found that while it really +deserved the name of swamp, for the land was +evidently wet and marshy during such times as the +river was filled with water, now the soil was comparatively +dry, while the greater portion of the +island was covered with trees, among which we +were told could be found no small amount of game. +The lower end of it was thickly grown up with +cane-brake, and during our hurried exploration we +found that already was corn planted here and there +where nature had left open spaces. I questioned +as to whether it was so late in the season that the +grain would not arrive at maturity; but Archie, +who had the eye of a farmer, suggested that even +if it did not, the leaves would make excellent fodder +for the horses, and surely the question of feeding +the animals in this place where no grass grew was +a matter which required considerable attention.</p> + +<p>Our dinner, which was shared by every one on +the island, consisted of the provisions which we +had brought from General Marion’s home, and +when the meal was come to an end there was not +sufficient left of our store to provide us lads with +supper. But at that time we did not look very far +into the future. Our situation was so desperate—this +little handful of men and boys who were setting +themselves to combat a victorious enemy—that +beyond the present hour we gave little or no +heed, trusting to the fortunes of war, and the +charity of the planters, when put to for sufficient +in the way of food, to keep us alive.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span>I am tempted to dwell upon the trifling incidents +of this day at the rendezvous where there was little +semblance of military authority, save that all recognized +General Marion as the one who should map +out the operations; but to do so would require +more of space than can be given it, if I am to relate +all which we Minute Boys of South Carolina succeeded +in doing before the tyrant’s forces were +driven beyond the border. Therefore it is I must +go straight on with such as we did which had a +bearing upon the struggle our people were making +for liberty, rather than indulge in reminiscences +most pleasing to myself.</p> + +<p>It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when +Captain Horry and his companion returned, and +there was that written upon their faces which told +that they were well satisfied with the information +gained.</p> + +<p>“It is as it should be,” the captain said to General +Marion as he came up from the bank of the +stream to where the little company gathered immediately +he was seen in the distance. “The force +of which the lads gave warning number no more +than forty, and are under command of Major +Gainey. As nearly as can be told, from twenty +to twenty-five of them are Tories, the remainder +soldiers from Gainey’s own regiment. They have +gone into camp at Britain’s Neck, I should guess +in order to wait for reinforcements, fancying that +we are too strong for them.”</p> + +<p>“Britain’s Neck,” the general said half to himself.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span> +“Then we have no need to start off until sunset.”</p> + +<p>Although I knew full well he would strike a blow +however great the odds might be against him, it +was with a certain sense of relief and satisfaction +that I heard the words which gave the same meaning +as if he had said he was determined to attack.</p> + +<p>Then Captain Horry described the situation of +the enemy’s camp, which had been chosen near the +river-bank and was backed by a small hill. If it +had been the major’s purpose to give us good opportunity +to make reprisals, he could not have disposed +of his men to better advantage for us, because +even I, who knew so little of the art of war, understood +that if it should be possible for us to gain +the brow of the hill, we had the foe at our mercy. +It was when Captain Horry had come to the end +of his recital, that Archie Gordon asked eagerly:</p> + +<p>“Did you see anything of Seth Hastings, sir, +while you were spying upon the camp?”</p> + +<p>“I have the good fortune not to be acquainted +with that whelp; but fancy we saw him, for there +was a lad with the Tories whom the troopers appeared +to shun. These soldiers of the king’s, cutthroats +though they be, have no more love for a +traitor than has an honest man, and you may set +it down that so far as it is within their power, your +enemy does not sleep among a bed of roses while +among them.”</p> + +<p>“It makes very little difference to us, sir, how +they may treat the cur; but we are eager to know +if he yet remains with them, because we Minute<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span> +Boys will deal with him, and not give you gentlemen +the trouble of looking after such a sneak.”</p> + +<p>“We Minute Boys?” General Marion repeated +questioningly. “Have you lads already such an +organization?”</p> + +<p>I looked to Gabriel to make reply, which he did +without hesitation:</p> + +<p>“Ay, sir, we have, although at present our force +is not very formidable, for the entire company is +here assembled; but if so be we see much of the +surrounding country, I venture to say that before +the summer is past we will succeed in gathering +such a troop as will not make either you or us +ashamed.”</p> + +<p>“Well said, lad!” Captain Horry cried approvingly. +“It is a good plan for you youngsters to +band yourselves together, and that you have already +made a start toward that end should shame those +who are late in coming to this rendezvous because +afraid to stand manfully against the foe.”</p> + +<p>And thus it was without further argument or +comment that General Marion and his officers +agreed we lads might form an independent company +under his command.</p> + +<p>The horses were looked after carefully at the +close of this day, for although the distance from +where we would cross the stream, to Britain’s +Neck, was no more than five miles, we needed to +cover it with speed, and perhaps the necessity of +returning swiftly would be as great as that of going. +Therefore generous quantities of corn were +dealt out from the slender stores, and the animals<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span> +groomed until they were in fine fettle for any +patriot to ride.</p> + +<p>Not until the sun had set was the word to move +given, and then, each leading his horse, we went +down into the stream, swimming the animals across +while we clung to saddle, mane, or tail, as fancy +dictated. When come to the opposite side we looked +well to girths and weapons, for once having arrived +at our destination, there would be no time to attend +to such details if General Marion worked in his +usual fashion.</p> + +<p>Old Peter rode well in advance, still acting as +one of the guides, and there was among us none +more trusted than he, for I have little doubt but +that the negro would have cheerfully yielded up +his life had it been necessary to save either the +general or Gabriel from harm.</p> + +<p>We rode at a sharp trot on either side of the +highway where the turf served to deaden the footfalls +of the horses, not drawing rein up hill or down +until we were come to the elevation of which I +have spoken as backing the camp of the foe.</p> + +<p>Now it was we halted for the merest fraction of +time that General Marion and Captain Horry might +take the lead, the former saying as he passed us:</p> + +<p>“Follow me, and see to it that you keep together, +at least until we are well at the end of the +charge.”</p> + +<p>Then, as we allowed the horses to walk up the +hill through a heavy growth of timber wherein +there was little or no underbrush, Gabriel, who +rode between Archie and me, said in a whisper:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span>“We will follow the leader until such time as +we catch a glimpse of Seth Hastings, and then, +unless the redcoats make a stand when our services +will be needed with the troop, we are to strike out +for ourselves, because I am not minded that cur +shall give us the slip.”</p> + +<p>“I am not certain I can do very much in the way +of shooting from the saddle,” I said, unslinging my +musket, thus following the example of those around +me, and Gabriel replied as if in alarm:</p> + +<p>“Don’t make any attempt to shoot the traitor, +for then his troubles would soon be over, and I am +of the mind that he needs more punishment in this +world than a speedy death.”</p> + +<p>“I hope you do not propose that the Minute +Boys shall turn Indians and give him a taste of +torture?” Archie said sharply, and one of the men +riding near at hand reproved him for speaking +aloud, because it was of the utmost importance that +we succeed in surprising the redcoats.</p> + +<p>“We won’t make quite such heathens of ourselves,” +Gabriel whispered sufficiently loud for me +to hear; “but at the same time I almost believe +we would be warranted in outdoing even the Indians +toward the squaring of accounts. Once we +clap our eyes on him, however, it is for us to ride +the cur down, however far the chase may lead.”</p> + +<p>Save for such experience in warfare as I had +had during the siege of Charleston, I was a novice +in the soldier’s trade, and had never yet fired a +gun at a human being. Therefore it was little +wonder that every nerve in my body was tingling<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> +with the excitement of the moment, and my heart +seemingly crowding its way up into my throat. +The one fear I had was that if the enemy made a +stand, and we were thus forced to fight a pitched +battle, I might show the white feather; but immediately +we joined the troopers on the hill, and +found General Marion and Captain Horry waiting +for us to come before giving the signal to make +a dash, I forgot everything save the desire to wreak +vengeance upon those who had captured our city, +and done so much to humiliate us.</p> + +<p>Then I saw the general raise his hand. It was +the signal, and as my fingers tightened on the +bridle-rein, the horse beneath me leaped forward +eagerly as if burning with the same mad desire +that was in my heart! I urged him forward even +though he was doing his best, and prayed that it +might be my good fortune to show what one boy +of South Carolina could do when there came to +him an opportunity of avenging the insults which +the king’s hirelings had heaped upon his people.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IV<br> + +<small>DISAPPOINTMENT</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Strange</span> as it may seem, I am not able to tell +what occurred from the time we started on that +mad rush down the hill until the redcoats and +Tories were fleeing in every direction. The fever +of excitement had such a hold upon me that I saw +nothing, heard nothing, was conscious only of the +desire to strike a blow, and might have discharged +my weapon once, or a dozen times without knowing +it save for the fact of the bullets in my pouch, +which, on being counted later, showed that I had +sent but two shots into that red-coated mass which +rose up only when we were nearly riding over +their encampment, and then dispersed.</p> + +<p>I was aroused to distinct consciousness of the +surroundings finally, when I heard Gabriel Marion +shouting in my ear as if to awaken me from what +can be called little less than the delirium of excitement:</p> + +<p>“It is for us to find Seth Hastings! Have you +seen him yet?”</p> + +<p>I was so much ashamed at having lost myself entirely, +as it were, that instead of declaring I had seen +nothing save that mass of red which seemingly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> +rose up from the earth, I simply replied in the +negative to his question, and Archie Gordon, for +it seems that we three lads had ridden closely together +during the charge, shouted as he turned his +horse around, thus forcing Gabriel and me to do the +same:</p> + +<p>“He must be among those who are fleeing down +the river! If there is any bottom to our horses +now is the time to bring it out.”</p> + +<p>We had simply checked the speed of our steeds on +coming to where half a dozen or more shelter-tents +had been put up, and hardly a second was lost before +we were in pursuit of the terror-stricken +enemy.</p> + +<p>Then it was I noted that even in the confusion +of their surprise both soldiers and Tories +had striven to mount their horses, leaving behind +them saddles and bridles, for there had been no +time to do more than leap upon the backs of the +animals and cut the ropes by which they were +picketed. It was simply a question as to which +side was the better mounted, whether we take +prisoners or no, and there was a sense of exultation +in my heart as I felt the strong stride of the horse +beneath me, telling of the pace which he was setting.</p> + +<p>Now, because I am speaking of none save us +three comrades, it must not be supposed that we +were the only ones in pursuit of the fugitives. Considerably +in advance of us I could see General +Marion and Captain Horry riding side by side, +while at their heels were ten or a dozen men, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span> +as many more were behind us. Therefore we were +not in good position to distinguish ourselves by +making any captures, nor indeed did we hope to +do so. Seth Hastings was the game we were after, +and I question whether we would have turned aside +to take so important a prisoner as Major Gainey, +if perchance we had seen the traitorous cur who +would have consigned us to the prison-ships.</p> + +<p>It was a mad race in which was no semblance +of military formation on either side, but simply +one mob of men pursued by another, riding at hot +speed down the bank of the stream regardless of +the obstacles in their way, and more than one, venturing +too near the water’s edge, was pitched +out of the saddle as his steed floundered in the +mire.</p> + +<p>Within five minutes I understood that we were +behind in the race. Our steeds were stout and +honest, but not blooded; urged by blows and voice +they were doing their best, while our leaders were +outstripping us swiftly, and a few seconds after +this fact had impressed itself upon my mind, old +Peter, who had been as eager in the chase as either +of us, urged his horse to my side as he said:</p> + +<p>“Dar’s no sense, honey, in blowin’ dese yere +horses fur nuffin.”</p> + +<p>I pushed aside the hand which he would have +laid upon my bridle-rein, impatient at the suggestion +that I fall out of the race, so great was my +desire to catch a glimpse of the lad to whom we +owed such a debt, and would have pressed my horse +on yet faster but for the fact that just then one of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span> +the troopers who had followed General Marion +most closely came riding back as he shouted:</p> + +<p>“The orders are to return to the encampment +just vacated by the redcoats. Nothing can be +gained by further pursuit, and there is a chance +that these fellows in advance may be leading us +into a trap.”</p> + +<p>As a matter of course we brought our horses +to a standstill, for young in the service as were +we Minute Boys, it was well understood that an +order from the officer in command must be obeyed +on the instant, but Gabriel grumbled as he slipped +out of the saddle to loosen the girth:</p> + +<p>“It can be no more dangerous for us to go on, +than for General Marion. Why should he not fall +back and leave those who are of less importance +to take the chance of falling into an ambush?”</p> + +<p>“The orders are to go back to the camp we surprised,” +the trooper replied curtly, and then it was +I recognized him as one of the bravest defenders +of Charleston during the siege. He was an old +soldier, and as such had neither sympathy nor +patience for lads who would discuss an order which +had been given.</p> + +<p>It is not necessary I make any attempt at picturing +the disappointment we felt because of having +failed in capturing or shooting down the traitor +who had thus brought the enemy on our trail. +Having flattered ourselves that with this surprise +of the camp it would be a comparatively simple +matter to take Seth Hastings prisoner, one can +readily understand the feeling of chagrin amounting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span> +almost to shame, which was ours after having +failed thus signally.</p> + +<p>We were not in a mood for conversation as we +wheeled about and moved up the stream at a +leisurely pace, and once arriving at the enemy’s +camping-place came to understand of how much +importance this surprise would prove to those who +had rendezvoused at Snow’s Island. As I have +already said, our people were illy equipped, lacking +almost everything except horses, and the party who +had come in pursuit of us brought with them even +luxuries.</p> + +<p>In this encampment we found weapons, ammunition, +provisions, and horse equipments beyond all +expectation, and even those who, like my comrades +and myself, were most bitterly disappointed at having +been forced to turn back in the chase, forgot +for the moment everything except the pleasing fact +that in this first adventure the “ragged regiment” +had won a most valuable victory, even though they +failed in taking a single prisoner.</p> + +<p>It was while we were gathering up the spoils +preparatory to taking them to Snow’s Island that +we saw the leaders return, and with them two captives, +the sole fruit of the entire race.</p> + +<p>Although our people had succeeded in capturing +only a couple of men, it soon appeared that, so far +as concerned us, the cream of all the mob of fugitives +had been taken. They were Tories, and, like +many of their breed, such arrant cowards that immediately +after finding themselves in the clutches of +the patriots, they were willing to tell all they knew,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span> +regardless of the fact that by so doing they were +playing the traitor.</p> + +<p>It was from these weak-kneed renegades that +General Marion gained such information as was +in the highest degree valuable, for if he had remained +in ignorance regarding the matter, the +chances were more than equal that all our little +force would speedily have been gobbled up.</p> + +<p>Without making too many words of what really +deserves to be spun out into a longer story, I must +content myself by explaining that the prisoners +speedily confessed that somewhere on the banks +of the Great Pedee, between where we then were +and the ferry at Georgetown, was a large force of +Britishers and Tories who had been sent to cooperate +with Major Gainey, the plan having been +that the latter advance along the Charleston road +while this second and greatly superior force come +up the river-bank. The report was that the other +party could not be less than four hundred strong, +under the command of Captain Barfield, a name +which we of Charleston would not speedily forget, +for he it was who had command of the squad that +carried the chief citizens of the city to the prison-ships.</p> + +<p>One needed not to be a soldier in order to understand +what might have happened had our people +continued the pursuit very long.</p> + +<p>Those whom we had surprised, knowing of this +larger force in the vicinity, were, of course, doing +all they might to join them, and most likely hoping +we would keep at their heels until finding ourselves<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span> +confronted by a company which could speedily +overcome us.</p> + +<p>The cold chills of fear were creeping up my spine +as I thus thought of all the possibilities, and I +started like one who suddenly finds himself on the +brink of a precipice, when a trooper came up +quickly to say to us three lads:</p> + +<p>“General Marion would have speech with you, +and at once.”</p> + +<p>“Speech with us?” I said half to myself. “We +have done nothing which calls for reproof.”</p> + +<p>“And why do you fancy we are to be reproved?” +Gabriel asked with a laugh as he set +about picketing his steed. “Do you suppose that +my brother can wish to see us only in order to +find fault?”</p> + +<p>“But why should he have speech with us? +Surely not to ask advice!” I said petulantly, because +of my nervousness and disappointment, and +Archie Gordon replied with a laugh:</p> + +<p>“If you will make ready to obey the summons +we shall the sooner know what is required.”</p> + +<p>Like the simple I was, the summons disturbed +me not a little, but when we were come a short +distance down the stream where stood Captain +Horry and General Marion, the latter greeted us +with such a friendly smile that my forebodings +speedily vanished, and I began almost to believe +that during our mad rush down the hill, when I +remained all in ignorance of what was being done +because of the excitement upon me, I might have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span> +performed some great deed which was now to be +publicly acknowledged.</p> + +<p>I mention this fact only to show what a thorough +simple I do make of myself at times. When we +were approached so near the fire that a conversation +could be carried on in a low tone, for it was evidently +the intention of the commander that the +remainder of the force should not hear what was +said, the general spoke.</p> + +<p>“You lads have announced your intention of +forming an organization to be called the Minute +Boys of South Carolina, and I have no doubt you +expect to be received as an independent company +in whatsoever army you may choose to honor.”</p> + +<p>I wondered whether he had simply summoned +us for the sake of making sport of our intentions, +and remained silent, not knowing what to say, but +Gabriel replied without hesitation:</p> + +<p>“Ay, sir, that is our purpose.”</p> + +<p>“And as yet you have had no experience as +soldiers?”</p> + +<p>“Save what we may have gained during the +siege,” Archie interrupted, and the general added +with a smile:</p> + +<p>“I question whether that might be of any great +value. However, the time has come when you may, +if you so desire, prove your claim to enter the army +as a distinct organization.”</p> + +<p>Now it was that I began to have some inkling as +to what he was driving at, and gathered myself +sufficiently to ask before either of my companions +could speak:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span>“What would you have us do, sir? If we can +be of any service at this time, there is no need of +overly many words to screw up our courage, for +we are minded to do all that boys may, and perhaps +a bit more.”</p> + +<p>“Well spoken, Master Randolph, and it is what +I might have expected one of your name would say. +Here are the facts, if so be our prisoners have told +the truth: Somewhere along the line of the river +is a force of perhaps four hundred Britishers—I +am inclined to believe the number has been overstated. +However that may be, it is my purpose to +advance upon them without unnecessary delay; in +order to do so with any hope of success I must have +some idea as to their position, and that within the +shortest possible space of time.”</p> + +<p>“Meaning that you would send us on the scout, +sir?” Gabriel said quickly, his face lighting up with +joy.</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, that is exactly my meaning, and it is +not necessary for me to tell you how much danger +there may be in such a reconnoissance, for those +who have joined me here know full well that when +men like us undertake to strike a blow at the king’s +forces in this vicinity, they take their lives in their +hands. Are you minded to set off at once?”</p> + +<p>“There is no need for such a question, General +Marion,” I made bold to say. “We came to +Snow’s Island hoping there might be an opportunity +for us to do a soldier’s full duty, therefore stand +ready to obey any command.”</p> + +<p>“But in such a case as this, lads, I would not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> +give a command. He who sets out on the scout +with the chances of running full upon an overwhelming +force, must go as a volunteer.”</p> + +<p>“That we are ready to do, sir,” Archie replied, +and the general added, with a nod of his head as +if he had already known what our answer would be:</p> + +<p>“Then you are to start without delay. I would +not undertake to say how the task can best be performed. +The Tories who gave us the information +were themselves ignorant of the precise location +of Captain Barfield’s command, therefore your +method of gaining information must be according +to the circumstances which arise. Do not burden +yourselves with rations or weapons; take only so +much as may be necessary to defend yourself from +the chance comer, and in the event of being surrounded, +surrender quickly rather than sacrifice +your lives. As to provisions, sufficient for one +meal will be enough, since after breakfast to-morrow +morning you will be in another world, with +us again, or prisoners among the foe. At noon to-morrow +we shall set out at a slow pace down the +river, hoping to meet you on the way, and our +course will be somewhat with that of the stream, +although we may have to enter the woods to the +southward of it in order to remain under cover of +the timber. That which I want to know is somewhere +near the number of the enemy, the general +situation of the camp, and, if may be, an approach +to it by which a surprise can best be effected. I +shall hope to see you before sunset to-morrow, +lads.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span>With this the general turned away, thus showing +that he had no further command to give, and I +asked myself why he brought the interview to a +close so abruptly? Was it because he had no +further time to waste upon us, or that he dared not +trust himself to say aught which might smack of +parting lest he weaken our courage?</p> + +<p>We did not speculate many moments as to this +last. It was enough for us that we had our work +cut out, and most eager were we to be at it.</p> + +<p>When, on going back to where we had left our +horses, we found the Marshall boys awaiting us, +Edward asked eagerly:</p> + +<p>“For what were you wanted?” and Gabriel explained +in the fewest words possible the purport of +the interview, but was not yet come to an end before +Joseph began saddling his horse, whereupon +Archie asked why he was making ready to +move.</p> + +<p>“That we may go with you, of course.”</p> + +<p>“But the orders were given only to us three.”</p> + +<p>“Yet we have joined you as members of the +Minute Boys’ company, therefore it is our right to +share in whatsoever danger you may encounter,” +Edward cried hotly, and during the next few minutes +we had quite a warm interview.</p> + +<p>Finally Gabriel explained that the greater the +number who went on the scout the greater the +danger, also that it was the general’s privilege to +select whomsoever he might for the mission, and +the lads gave way, although, as I could see plainly, +very much to their disappointment.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span>And thus I ever found it with the boys of South +Carolina during those terrible days when the enemy +so overrun us as to leave little or no hope as to the +future. There was not a lad in the State, save of +Tory inclination, who did not grieve when debarred +from taking part in some perilous enterprise which +might prove of benefit to the Cause.</p> + +<p>We had no need to search for provisions, because +the redcoats had left food in plenty behind +them, therefore when we three had gathered up as +much as might suffice for one meal, seen to the +equipment of our horses, and the charging of our +weapons, we were ready for the work.</p> + +<p>No one of our people gave any particular heed to +us as we rode slowly away. The fact of our having +had an interview with the general was sufficient +indication that we had been sent on an enterprise, +and I fancy every one knew the purpose of our +going.</p> + +<p>I confess to feeling exceeding proud, as, leaving +our people behind, we three rode out into the night +on what must at best be an extremely hazardous +adventure, for if the Tories had told the truth, then +were we like at any moment, despite all precautions, +to come upon a force of the enemy so great that +resistance would be folly.</p> + +<p>It can well be fancied that we did not indulge in +overly many words during the journey, for silence +was our best friend at such a time. The raising of +our voices in conversation would have been much +the same as giving the enemy warning of our approach. +Only once did Gabriel speak, and that was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> +perhaps ten minutes after we left the encampment, +when he said half to himself:</p> + +<p>“If we had the slightest idea as to how far away +this Captain Barfield may be, the work could be +done much more quickly.”</p> + +<p>Neither Archie nor I made reply to this, and indeed +there was no necessity, for we recognized the +truth of it; not one of us but would have given all +of worldly goods he possessed to have known +within a radius of two or three miles where the +enemy had encamped.</p> + +<p>During half an hour more we rode on in almost +perfect silence, save for the hoof-beats of the +horses, and then, when we were come to the bottom-lands, +which were covered with a growth of +scrub-oaks, we heard a noise as of a horseman +forcing his way through the foliage.</p> + +<p>There is no need for me to say that we halted +on the instant and unslung our muskets, for we +knew by the noise that but one was approaching, +and were determined to be the party which should +give the surprise.</p> + +<p>Silently, hardly daring to breathe, fearing each +instant lest the noise from one of the steeds should +betoken our whereabouts, we waited in nervous +expectancy, never dreaming of that which was coming +upon us.</p> + +<p>One, two, three minutes passed, and then there +rode out from amid the scrub-oaks none other than +that traitorous cur, Seth Hastings!</p> + +<p>“Halt!” Gabriel cried, and the fellow looked up +to see three muskets levelled full upon him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span>If I had had time in which to consider the matter, +I would have expected to see a look of dismay and +fear overspread his face; but much to my surprise +the whelp gazed at us, while obeying the command, +as if this unexpected meeting gave him the greatest +pleasure.</p> + +<p>“So you have left Snow’s Island, eh?” he asked +insolently, before either of us had an opportunity +to make answer, but Gabriel said sternly:</p> + +<p>“It makes little difference to a renegade like you +where we have come from; dismount and throw +down your weapons!”</p> + +<p>Seth Hastings obeyed as if there was nothing in +the matter to cause him the slightest apprehension, +and Gabriel said to Archie as the fellow stood there +with uplifted hands anticipating that which was to +come:</p> + +<p>“Dismount and search the cur; but make certain +he strikes you no foul blow, for a boy who will turn +tail, when he is one of a party of a hundred or +more, to flee in hot haste from only twenty, is +cowardly enough to take any wicked advantage.”</p> + +<p>I could see on the instant that Gabriel Marion +had made a grave mistake and at the same time +aroused Seth Hastings’s anger, for he had unwittingly +proclaimed the feebleness of General +Marion’s force when he taunted the fellow with +cowardice, although at the moment it did not seem +such a serious matter, because while we held him +prisoner there was little opportunity of his repeating +the information thus gained.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_p080a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p080a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">“‘DISMOUNT AND THROW DOWN YOUR WEAPONS!’”</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>“There is no need for us friends of the king to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span>exchange shots with you rebels,” Seth Hastings +cried vindictively while Archie was making thorough +search of his clothing for concealed weapons. +“The situation of affairs in the Carolinas has +changed since you ran away from Charleston, and +in four and twenty hours there will not be a rebel +left within the borders of the two States.”</p> + +<p>“Meaning that Captain Barfield’s force is going +to wipe us all out of existence, or into the prison-ships,” +Gabriel said with a scornful laugh which +still further roused the Tory’s ire, and he replied +with a hiss which was much like that of an angry +cat:</p> + +<p>“Meaning that your General Gates with his ragtag, +bob-tail of an army has been cut to pieces at +Camden by Lord Cornwallis, and there is now left +in the Carolinas none to uphold what you have +boastingly called the ‘Cause,’ save those twenty on +Snow’s Island of whom you speak.”</p> + +<p>Had he struck me full in the face I could not +have been more surprised and angered, yet I knew +he must have told the truth regarding the disaster +to General Gates, for since we held him prisoner +he could be made to answer for any cock-and-bull +story which he might invent on the moment.</p> + +<p>We three sat speechless with dismay, gazing at +each other questioningly, and yet believing what +the villain had said.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately we soon came to learn that he had +exaggerated no part of it. And now right here, in +order to show, while Archie is searching and binding +the prisoner, in what sore distress were we who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> +still adhered to the Cause, let me round out his +story. General Gates, who was less of a soldier +than he believed himself to be, gave battle with raw +recruits, on lines formed in a swamp, to the most +experienced of the king’s soldiers that were in the +Carolinas, and one can fancy what would be the +result of such a meeting, particularly when, with +all other disadvantages, Gates’s men had been drawn +up in the most awkward place that could have been +found.</p> + +<p>The battle of Camden had been half-fought and +wholly lost, and to us who sat there gazing in dismay +and astonishment at the villainous Tory, it +seemed indeed that we who had struggled so hard +for freedom were at last entirely undone.</p> + +<p>Archie Gordon had not allowed this disheartening +information to interfere with his duties, and +while Gabriel and I were almost entirely overcome +by dismay, he had expeditiously searched the prisoner +and bound his hands behind his back, asking, +after that had been done:</p> + +<p>“Where will it please you to have this fellow?”</p> + +<p>“Help him to mount his horse, and use your +knife if he does not aid himself. Whether General +Gates has been defeated or not, we have our work +to perform, and it shall be done.”</p> + +<p>“Meaning that you are minded to find Captain +Barfield’s camping-place, eh?” Seth Hastings +asked in a tone which aroused my anger afresh, +although his seemed to have died away entirely. +“If it so be that is what you want, I have no hesitation +about acting the part of guide.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span>The impudence and boldness of this proposition +struck me dumb; surely the Britishers must be in +greater force than we had been led to believe, and +nearer at hand, else would he have been less rash, +or striven to give us the slip rather than thus propose +to show us the way.</p> + +<p>Gabriel gave no heed to either the Tory’s words +or his tone, but said cheerily:</p> + +<p>“If it so be you please, we will take advantage +of the offer; but remember this, Seth Hastings, if +by chance or intention you lead us into an ambush, +my first act shall be to blow out your brains.”</p> + +<p>“I question if he have any,” Archie said as he +mounted, and Seth replied in a scornful tone:</p> + +<p>“It may be I have too many for your purpose. +At all events you shall blow my brains out if I +lead you into an ambush, and you shall set me free +when I have shown you Captain Barfield’s force.”</p> + +<p>“I say ‘yes’ to the first, and ‘no’ to the last,” +Gabriel replied sternly. “You may guide us or not, +but we shall proceed.”</p> + +<p>“Then you have less than half a mile to go,” the +cur said quietly, and I racked my brain to know +what purpose he had in his mind, for surely there +must be something which he knew that would work +to our undoing.</p> + +<p>Gabriel led the way, and Archie and I followed +with Seth Hastings riding between us, I carrying +my musket over one arm in order to execute the +threat which Gabriel had made, if so be there were +any signs of fresh treachery.</p> + +<p>We rode at a walk five minutes longer, and then<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> +far in the distance was it possible to see the glow +of many camp-fires, thus telling that Seth Hastings +had indeed done what he proposed, for we were +come as straight to the camp as a crow could +fly.</p> + +<p>Gabriel brought us to a halt with a softly spoken +word, and, dismounting, said as he handed the bridle +of his horse to me:</p> + +<p>“Wait here until I return.”</p> + +<p>“But surely you are not going alone,” Archie +Gordon cried in dismay, and I added, following +Gabriel’s example:</p> + +<p>“Indeed he has no need. One is sufficient to +guard that Tory cur and look after the horses, +therefore I shall go with you, Gabriel.”</p> + +<p>He made no protest; as a matter of fact I believe +he felt relieved rather than otherwise that he was +to have company, and after cautioning Archie not +to move out of his tracks, since it might be we +would have need of coming upon him in a hurry +and must know exactly where he was, we started, +but before having gone many paces Gabriel wheeled +about, saying as he did so:</p> + +<p>“We are proving ourselves poor soldiers indeed, +if we leave that Tory in such shape that he may +be able to raise an alarm in case any of his companions +pass by. A bit of a gag in his mouth will +do him no harm, and guarantee silence.”</p> + +<p>Again was I mystified by seeing Seth Hastings +peacefully open his mouth for the billet of wood +which Gabriel clapped between his teeth, buckling +it in place with the cur’s own waist-belt. It was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> +as if all which we did met with the approbation of +the scoundrel. This done, once more Gabriel and +I turned about to perform the task for which we +had been sent.</p> + +<p>The work proved easy, although it was not possible +to absolutely count the men, who were scattered +over quite an area, some sleeping, others playing +cards by the camp-fires, and not a few carousing. +From a careful estimate both Gabriel and I +decided that there were more than four hundred, +rather than less, and this information we deemed +sufficient for General Marion’s needs. As to the +location of the camp itself, the troop might come +upon it most readily by the same course which we +had pursued in our advance, the scrub-oaks on the +bottom-lands affording ample cover.</p> + +<p>“I see no reason why we should linger here,” +Gabriel said within five minutes after we had crept +up to where a view of the camp-fires could be had, +and then we retraced our steps, but although going +back as I believed on our own trail, we failed to find +either Archie or the prisoner.</p> + +<p>There was no thought in our minds that anything +had gone awry; first, because we had been absent +no more than ten minutes, during which time nothing +of a suspicious nature had been heard, and secondly, +we felt positive our comrade would have contrived +to let us know, either by discharging his gun +or shouting, if an attack had been made.</p> + +<p>Then we set resolutely at work to find him, blaming +ourselves for being stupid, and searched here, +there, and everywhere along the bank of the river<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span> +above the encampment, until a full half-hour was +spent in the fruitless task.</p> + +<p>Then, not suddenly, but gradually, was the horrible +truth forced upon us. The enemy—surely +it could not have been Seth Hastings alone—had +captured Archie Gordon, and taken possession of +the horses!</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V<br> + +<small>BARFIELD’S CAMP</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Not</span> until we were come to that portion of the +thicket where the moss had been cut and trampled +by the feet of the horses, did we see a fallen and +curiously twisted oak-tree which proved beyond a +peradventure that we were standing in the very spot +where we had left Archie and his prisoner. Then +we two lads were forced to the conviction that some +dire disaster had befallen our comrade.</p> + +<p>We stood gazing at each other as though unable +to speak, while one might have counted thirty, and +then Gabriel asked, as if he neither knew nor had +any idea where duty lay:</p> + +<p>“What is to be done?”</p> + +<p>Before he could say any more I replied hotly, +angered because he had questioned as to the course +which should be pursued:</p> + +<p>“We must search for Archie, and having learned +his whereabouts, do what we may toward his escape, +for there can be no doubt but that Seth Hastings, +being now his keeper instead of his prisoner, +will make it as uncomfortable as possible for the +poor fellow!”</p> + +<p>“That is what we would do, William Rufus, if<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span> +we three had come here on our own affairs; but I +am asking if we have the right to consider Archie +at all in this matter?”</p> + +<p>“Why should we not consider him?” I cried +passionately.</p> + +<p>“For the reason that we shall be untrue to the +Cause if, in order to save the life of one, we sacrifice +twenty or more, as will be the case if we spend our +time searching for poor Archie when we know my +brother and his men are riding in this direction +depending upon the information which we should +give them.”</p> + +<p>“But would you leave a comrade to be killed, +perhaps, for who can say what Seth Hastings will +not do, when it may be possible for you to save +him?”</p> + +<p>“Hark ye, lad,” and now Gabriel Marion spoke +as a man twice his age might have spoken. “All +our efforts are to be for the benefit of the Cause, +and it is the same as if we had solemnly sworn it. +Now tell me, with Archie on one side, and all our +people who have rendezvoused at Snow’s Island on +the other, which are we to sacrifice? It comes exceedingly +near being in our power to say that the +troops shall be allowed to tempt death, but at the +same time we are not positive any assistance can +be given the lad.”</p> + +<p>“But, Gabriel!” I cried entreatingly, for it cut +me to the heart that he should set our comrade aside +as he might an entire stranger. “Are we not bound +to do all we may toward aiding one of our company, +and you know Archie ventured here only that he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span> +might be counted as a member of the Minute Boys? +Are we to turn our backs upon him, raising no hand +in his behalf?”</p> + +<p>“Rufus, you and I have been warm friends since +first we could remember, and if you, instead of +Archie, had been taken prisoner, and he argued with +me as you are doing, I should then say as I say +now: Our duty lies in that direction where we may +best aid the Cause. The lives of a few boys are not +to be compared with those of thirty men. You +yourself must admit that the Carolinas can lose +us three lads without suffering an irreparable loss, +whereas if my brother—and I’m not saying this +because he <i>is</i> my brother—and those who are +gathered around him should be cut off now, then +must all hope of resistance to the king’s forces in +this section of the country be abandoned, at least +for a certain time.”</p> + +<p>“But they may continue on without information +from us, and attack the camp with the same result +as when they charged down on Major Gainey’s +force,” I cried, and Gabriel answered with a tone +of reproof in his voice:</p> + +<p>“Now, lad, you know full well that your words +are empty ones. We have seen the force here, and +I ask what in your opinion would be the result if +our people charged this camp as they did the one +last night?”</p> + +<p>As a matter of course I could do no more than +hold my peace, for it went without saying that if +General Marion and his followers should attempt +any such manœuvre as had been executed a few<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span> +hours previous, the chances were as ten to one they +would come to grief. This I was forced to admit +to my companion, while yet unwilling to leave +Archie to his possible fate without having made +some effort to aid him, and after a short pause I +said with as much of firmness in my tone as it was +possible to command at the moment:</p> + +<p>“You shall go back and give the necessary information +to our people, and I will do what I may +hereabout.”</p> + +<p>“I was afraid you might make some such proposition +as that, Rufus Randolph.”</p> + +<p>“Why were you afraid?” I asked irritably.</p> + +<p>“Because it could have no other effect than that +of giving Seth Hastings two prisoners instead of +one. Recall to memory what we have seen, and +then tell me if you believe on your honor that it +would be possible for you to effect anything whatsoever +toward Archie’s release? The only hope—and +it would be one chance in ten—is that Seth +Hastings remains with his prisoner somewhere outside +of the encampment; but that we both know, +whether willing to admit it or not, is in every way +improbable. The Tory cur, mindful of his own +hide, and desiring above all things to keep our +comrade in his clutches, would ride at full speed +to the Britishers, to show them whose favor he is +unquestionably desirous of gaining, that he had +been able to capture a scout and three horses. +Verily a deed like that would win him some consideration +from Captain Barfield, however much +that officer might dislike such a traitor as Seth has<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span> +shown himself to be. Then again, as a second reason +for his seeking the encampment at the earliest +possible moment, he would do so for his own safety +as well as the proper guarding of the prisoner, because +of our being at liberty. However much of a +cur that scoundrel may be, you cannot truthfully +say he is an idiot.”</p> + +<p>Now I could not in reason make any further +protest, and Gabriel insisted, for his arguments +were unanswerable, that unless I was willing to take +the chance of working irreparable injury to the +Cause, it was necessary to turn my back upon the +brave little lad who would have risked every danger +in order to aid one of us.</p> + +<p>My heart was sore indeed as we set off up the +stream, on foot, of course, since we had lost the +horses, and the only ray of light which came to my +mind in all that distressing situation, was that most +probably General Marion would be willing to make +an attack upon such an overwhelming number +rather than quietly leave one of his recruits in their +hands.</p> + +<p>“In such a warfare as we of the Carolinas must +carry on now in order to hold even a footing in our +native State,” Gabriel said, “it stands to reason +that for a time at least whenever we make a movement, +the odds will be heavy against us. Therefore +it is I have somewhat of an idea that Captain Barfield’s +camp will not remain undisturbed to-night. +Neither Captain Horry nor General Marion is inclined +to count the odds when there is an opportunity +to strike a telling blow, and that information<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span> +which we can give regarding the number of the +force behind us may have weight with those two +officers. In which case, unless we are cut down at +the outset, you and I may yet be able to raise a hand +in behalf of Archie Gordon.”</p> + +<p>Although there was little hope in my mind just +then that our people would do other than give the +encampment a wide berth, Gabriel’s words soothed +somewhat the pain in my heart, and from that moment, +until we joined our friends, we ceased to +speak of the possibilities, but gave every attention +to making the utmost speed, for it was important +we should come up with our party as soon as might +be.</p> + +<p>It yet lacked two hours of sunset when we caught +a glimpse of those who were scouting in the advance +of the troop, and five minutes later we were +telling our story to the commander, giving it in the +minutest details, even to the mysterious behavior +of Seth Hastings.</p> + +<p>To my surprise General Marion gave little heed +to that portion of the story which related to the +disaster at Camden. I had feared when he learned +that most of our troops in the Carolinas had been +cut down and dispersed, his first thought would be +to secure the safety of those who had joined him; +but he brushed the matter aside as if of no consequence +as compared with the information we gave +concerning the location of the camp. Even the +size of the force under Captain Barfield was to +him of secondary importance.</p> + +<p>Then, our report having come to an end, he said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span> +quietly, as if reading the thoughts of all who were +concerned in the capture of Archie:</p> + +<p>“At the time you met the traitor he probably +knew that in the immediate vicinity were a greater +or less number of Barfield’s force, and counted +that while holding you in conversation they would +come up and capture all three. He did not make +any objection to being gagged, because of knowing +there were so many redcoats around him that he +could not long remain undiscovered, and hoped to +be able to bag you as well as Archie.”</p> + +<p>“But the puzzle of it is that we heard no sound +betokening a struggle while we crept up to get a +view of the encampment,” Gabriel interrupted.</p> + +<p>“And that is not strange, lad,” the general replied. +“Most like the redcoats took your comrade +entirely by surprise, and thus had no difficulty in +preventing him from making an outcry. They had +every reason to work quietly, more particularly +after Seth Hastings had told them of you. The +only mystifying part of the entire story is, that you +succeeded in making your escape. How far away +is the encampment?”</p> + +<p>“Three or four miles,” Gabriel replied.</p> + +<p>Then it was that General Marion gave word for +his “ragged regiment” to dismount, and while the +men fed their horses with such corn as had been +brought by the party, the commander and Captain +Horry stepped aside, evidently for a consultation, +whereupon I whispered to Gabriel:</p> + +<p>“They are deciding as to whether an attack shall<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span> +be made upon the encampment,” and he replied with +a smile:</p> + +<p>“I venture to say, William Rufus, that the question +between them is as to <i>how</i> it shall be made, +for if I mistake not, their countenances, while we +were making our report, told that an attack had +been decided upon without words.”</p> + +<p>There was no opportunity for us to discuss the +matter just then, for the Marshall boys and old +Peter came up, having felt obliged to remain at a +distance while we were in conversation with the +commander, and insisted on hearing from our lips +the strange story.</p> + +<p>Gabriel took it upon himself to describe the adventure, +and as if thinking one or the other of the +listeners might find fault because we had turned +our backs upon Archie in his time of danger, the +dear lad explained at great length how difficult it +had been for him to persuade me to rejoin the +general’s force.</p> + +<p>“We’s gwine to have that young Archie out ob +de sogers’ han’s ’fore mornin’,” old Peter exclaimed +in a tone of conviction, and Edward Marshall +laughingly asked him why he was so positive, repeating +again that which we had told him as to the +number of men under Barfield’s command.</p> + +<p>“Marse Marion is in de head ob dis yere army,” +was all the negro thought it necessary to say, and +I, who should have known the general better than +he, could have kicked myself for doubting when an +old servant had such implicit confidence in the +bravery and daring of his master.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span>There was not a trooper in the company who did +not feel positive that as soon as night had come we +would be struggling with the enemy, and it stands +to reason that I could not fail of being convinced +when every one around me took it as a matter of +course that an attack would be made. Therefore +did I consult with my companions—meaning those +of us who called ourselves Minute Boys of South +Carolina—as to what should be our course of +action when we charged the encampment.</p> + +<p>“We must ride together, doing whatsoever we +may to aid in the general attack, and at the same +time giving the greater portion of our attention to +seeking out the prisoner and his keeper,” Edward +Marshall said decidedly, and Gabriel replied with a +laugh which had in it nothing of mirth:</p> + +<p>“You two lads may be able to take part in the +charge; but Rufus and I have no longer horses, +therefore must we follow on foot, and I am questioning +whether, if the work be cut out as sharply +as it was last night, we shall be able to arrive very +early in the encounter.”</p> + +<p>Now, strange as it may seem, until this moment +I had not thought of how sadly Gabriel and I would +be handicapped in the coming battle, for I believed +of a verity there would be a battle, because it was +not reasonable to suppose so many men could be put +to flight by so small a number as ours, and straightway +my hopes, which had been growing, faded +away almost to despair, for at that time it seemed +as if nothing could be done toward effecting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> +Archie’s release unless I myself had a hand in the +matter.</p> + +<p>It was while I was thus mentally raging against +fortune because our little party did not have with +them led horses which might be pressed into service, +that I chanced to remember, as if my memory was +going back to seek out all of mischief and all of ill +luck it could find, that Gabriel had unwittingly revealed +to Seth Hastings the number of our force, +and immediately I reminded the lad of his slip of +tongue, suggesting that, perhaps, if General Marion +knew how much of information the enemy might +have concerning us, he would be less eager to take +the chances of making an attack.</p> + +<p>The blood left Gabriel’s face as he remembered, +on thus being reminded, those unfortunate words, +and he said with a tremor as of fear:</p> + +<p>“In playing the braggart with such as Seth +Hastings I may have compassed the death of these +brave fellows! Come quickly, Rufus, and let me +confess my fault!”</p> + +<p>Then, running at full speed as if every second +was precious, he went to where the general and +Captain Horry were in consultation, breaking in +upon them with a hurried recital of what he had +said to Seth.</p> + +<p>If I had expected to see Francis Marion give way +to anger because his brother had been so injudicious, +then was I grievously mistaken, for instead +of displaying any impatience, the general said in a +quiet tone to Captain Horry:</p> + +<p>“As everything has turned, we have good reason<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span> +to believe that victory will not be gained as easily +in Barfield’s camp as at Gainey’s. The enemy must +know that these lads were sent out as scouts, and +with the knowledge of our strength it is not to be +supposed we can make much of a fist at frightening +them.”</p> + +<p>“It will not displease me overly much if they +stand up against us for awhile,” Captain Horry +replied, as one would who speaks of matters which +are going entirely to his liking. “We cannot get +any especial credit for such work as last night’s; +but if we can hold our own, or more, against an +enemy as strong as we shall encounter this night, +then much of the fear which the weak-kneed of our +people are suffering because of the disaster at Camden +will be overcome.”</p> + +<p>It was on my tongue’s end to suggest that twenty +could hardly hope to stand up very long against +four hundred; but, fortunately, the words were +not spoken, and thus I did not again prove myself +a simple.</p> + +<p>If you ask me whether I felt any fear regarding +the coming attack, when we were to be outnumbered +twenty to one, I must say “no,” and this not +because I can be counted a lad of wondrous bravery, +but simply for the reason that the desire to release +Archie Gordon was so great there was no room in +my mind for any other thought. To make this attack +was but a means of gaining the end I so +ardently desired.</p> + +<p>Our people made no other preparation than that +of resting and feeding themselves and their horses<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> +until an hour after sunset, and one would have said +we were a party of idlers who cared only to pass the +time as comfortably as might be; but when the +commander and Captain Horry began saddling +their horses, the bustle and excitement were decidedly +of a warlike nature.</p> + +<p>Old Peter proposed to carry me, during the short +march, behind him on the saddle, and one of the +troopers who bestrode a heavy beast afforded like +service to Gabriel. Therefore we were not forced to +lag in the rear during this march, which was made +at a slow trot until having arrived at a point which +Gabriel and I believed was not more than a mile +from the encampment.</p> + +<p>Then it was that we were halted, and our commander +said, speaking in a low tone and yet so +clearly that all could hear him:</p> + +<p>“You already understand what may be expected +when we strike the enemy. You know quite as +well as I how important to the cause it is that we +should come off victorious in whatsoever attempt +is made just at this time. If you would save your +own lives you must fight as you never did before, +and if you would free your country, there must be +in your hearts no fear of death.”</p> + +<p>It was not so much the words, as the tone in +which they were spoken, that thrilled me. Every +nerve in my body was aquiver with excitement as +I, in obedience to Captain Horry’s gesture, slipped +off from old Peter’s horse and made ready to follow +as best I might in the mad charge so soon to be +made.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span>“You two lads shall not be handicapped by arriving +too late,” General Marion said as if conferring +upon us some great favor. “We will wait here +ten minutes while you are advancing, and if it so +be no obstacles are found in your way, you should +be ready to join us in the attack.”</p> + +<p>His was a thoughtfulness which touched me +deeply, for it is not often that a man eager to win +renown as a champion of his country’s cause, overburdened +by that desire, stops to realize the sorrow +a lad may feel because he is not allowed an opportunity +of showing whether he can do full duty as +a soldier. I vowed then, while I pressed forward +by the side of Gabriel, who was advancing at his +best pace, that however sorely fortune might buffet +me, so long as Francis Marion remained at liberty +to march against the enemy, so long would I follow +him while I might.</p> + +<p>Although Gabriel pushed forward rapidly, we +were by no means careless. Not minded to lose our +opportunity by coming across any of the enemy +who might overpower us before the work began, +we took due heed to everything around, and within +the time set were hidden among the bushes less than +forty yards from the nearest camp-fire belonging +to the redcoats, our muskets charged, the ammunition +where it could be got at most readily. Our +ears were strained to catch the faintest sound which +would tell us of the approach of those gallant men +whose coming we awaited with breathless expectancy; +I speculating, without thought of fear, however,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> +as to how long our small number might stand +before so great a force.</p> + +<p>Then, far in the distance, I heard the muffled footfalls +of the horses, and whispered to Gabriel:</p> + +<p>“They are coming!”</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad,” he said cautiously. “Now we will +rise to our feet and be ready to join them as they +come on, for I am not minded to bring up the rear +at such a time.”</p> + +<p>It was as if he had hardly more than spoken +when there came a mighty trampling noise, as +though on the instant all our people had spurred +their horses forward, and I saw by the gleam of +those fires in front of me men rising up quickly +here and there, showing they had been awaiting +some such warning, until it seemed to me a full +regiment was waiting to oppose us.</p> + +<p>After that there was no time for me to take in +the details of this or that portion of the encampment, +for Gabriel and I were running immediately +behind the leaders, he having seized the tail of +Captain Horry’s horse and I clinging to the general’s +stirrup, until we were in the very midst of the +enemy; muskets spitting fire; bullets whistling +here and there; and with the pungent odor of burning +powder filling one’s nostrils until the fever of +battle was overpowering—until one was become +as a machine, and yet a machine formed with the +deadly purpose of taking human life.</p> + +<p>I remember dimly that Peter, while I was loading +and discharging my weapon with careful aim as +rapidly as possible, rode up and insisted that I take<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span> +his horse, claiming he could fight better on foot, +and indeed the old fellow was doing his full share +of the desperate work.</p> + +<p>I refused the offer, giving no reason, but knowing +that my aim would be better on the ground than +in the saddle, and then came the knowledge that +Gabriel Marion was pressing as closely to my side +as he might, whereupon, when I moved as if to give +him more room, he said grimly:</p> + +<p>“Let us stand together, lad, for if it so be we +get a glimpse of our comrade, or of that churlish +Seth Hastings, it is needed that we act in concert.”</p> + +<p>One more picture of that battle in the night still +dwells in my memory, and it was presented when +the Marshall boys, halting their horses by the side +of Gabriel, leaped hurriedly to the ground and began +firing at the redcoats as coolly as if engaged +in a trial of skill, whereupon I said:</p> + +<p>“Why do you not keep in the saddle that you +may follow our people?” and Edward replied with +a laugh which had in it no tremor of fear:</p> + +<p>“Are we not Minute Boys of South Carolina as +well as you, and shall we separate at the very moment +when there is opportunity of showing what +our company may do?”</p> + +<p>However dire had been the danger, I must have +laughed at that moment, when he spoke of us four +boys as representing the company which we hoped +would some day win renown, and yet the lad was +right in telling us to stand together, for, without +in any way thinking to take praise to myself, we did +on that night make such a name for the company<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> +yet to be formed as brought to us more recruits +than we had anticipated even in our wildest dreams.</p> + +<p>I know not how it may be with others, but as for +me, once the fumes of powder are in my nostrils, +and the angry buzzing of bullets sounds in my ears, +I lose consciousness, so to speak, even as I did on +this night when I loaded and discharged my weapon +until the barrel of the musket was hot, so that it +burned my hands. I was wondering what must be +the result when the gun was no longer in condition +for use, but was interrupted in my speculations by +a wild cry from Gabriel, as he seized my arm and +rushed forward in what seemed to be the very thick +of the fray, where were horses and men in one confused +tangle.</p> + +<p>“See! Yonder is Seth Hastings dragging Archie +to cover!”</p> + +<p>Then for the first time did my heart sink within +me, because the cur of whom he spoke, with our +comrade in his power, was on the other side of the +encampment. Between them and us were both +friend and foe, and it seemed absolutely certain we +must plunge straight into death if any attempt to +reach them was made.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VI<br> + +<small>THE RESCUE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Just</span> for a moment as we stood there in the +midst of the battle, for such indeed it was, did I +believe it would be impossible for us to aid Archie, +howsoever eager we were to do so, and this same +thought must have been in the minds of my comrades, +for Gabriel shouted as if to arouse our courage:</p> + +<p>“We should be able to make our way around the +combatants! Our people are holding their own +despite the heavy odds, and I believe we may leave +them to do all the work since we are shirking the +fight for the purpose of rescuing a prisoner.”</p> + +<p>“We can still be taking good part in the battle +while making a change of position,” Edward Marshall +added, as if he thought it necessary to argue +me into the mood for going to Archie’s aid.</p> + +<p>Even while making reply I glanced around, able +now to take in the details of the scene as I had not +done before, for this brief conversation had aroused +me, so to speak, from the fever born of battle.</p> + +<p>Our people were indeed holding their own, and +more. The enemy had made a stand near about the +centre of the encampment, and although one might<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> +have supposed that four hundred men would keep +in check twenty, we had driven them beyond the +southernmost camp-fire—that is to say, we were +really in possession of their night quarters.</p> + +<p>Perhaps, in order that he who reads may not +have the idea I am drawing the long bow for the +purpose of praising our people to the disparagement +of the enemy, it may be necessary to state what we +fully realized at the time. It was that the advantage +had been on our side from the outset, since +our coming was so much of a surprise that a certain +number of the redcoats were illy prepared for the +encounter. Then again, they were unable, just +coming from sleep, to see as distinctly as we who +had been riding through the darkness, and these +things, taken into consideration with the fact that +it was not to be expected that men who fought for +money, as did the king’s troops, would do as valiant +battle as those who were defending their homes and +their loved ones, explains why we were able to do +all we did.</p> + +<p>As I have said, we had driven the enemy beyond +his line of encampment, and in obedience to the +commands of the British officers the redcoats stood +in line of battle, not breaking the formation when +they gave way before us; while we fought Indian +fashion, from behind tree, rock, or tent, so that we +were sheltered from view. Thus it was our bullets +went straight to the mark, while theirs were fired +at random.</p> + +<p>Our people, and by this I mean the men under +General Marion’s command, already having forced<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> +their way through the camp, were now in such position +that their backs were toward the river-bank, +and the redcoats stood in battle array at the edge +of the swamp, while we lads who had come into the +combat on foot were midway between our friends +and the right end of the enemy’s line.</p> + +<p>Having thus explained the position as well as is +possible for one new to such work, that the suggestion, +perhaps I should call it a command, which +Gabriel gave may the better be understood, I now +set down that which he said after having taken in +all the details of the situation:</p> + +<p>“By falling back twenty paces we shall be +screened by yonder line of bushes, and will try to +make our way to the rear of the king’s men slowly, +firing as we circle around that it may appear as if +reinforcements were coming up.”</p> + +<p>Having said this, he set the example, and in a +few seconds we were carrying out his commands, +taking good aim as we discharged our muskets; +then advancing behind the screen of bushes while we +reloaded, and stopping again only long enough to +send in another volley of bullets, until we were +come to the very edge of the swamp directly in line +with the redcoats.</p> + +<p>Now lest it seem by the many words which I have +set down that this battle was being carried on a +very long while, let me say that from the time our +people opened fire until we lads had gained the +position of which I have spoken, less than ten +minutes had passed.</p> + +<p>Our aim was to gain the place where we had seen<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> +Seth Hastings, and to do this it would be necessary +to pass directly across the rear of the enemy’s line, +by traversing a distance of perhaps a quarter of a +mile straight through the swamp, and even Gabriel +hesitated to lead us along this treacherous footing.</p> + +<p>“We may find ourselves mired before going very +far,” I ventured to say as we hesitated a single instant +before making the attempt, and the dear lad +replied in a tone of encouragement:</p> + +<p>“It can be no worse for us than for the redcoats. +If we are unable to advance, surely they cannot fall +upon us.”</p> + +<p>Then once more he led the way, and we followed, +speedily to find ourselves floundering in mud +nearly waist-deep, making such a racket that but +for the noise of the firing the enemy must have +heard and supposed a full company of men were +endeavoring to make their way over the bog.</p> + +<p>It was not possible we could continue such a +laborious advance for many seconds without stopping +to take breath, and when we were forced to +halt Edward Marshall bent back the bushes until +we could see the rear rank of that red-coated line. +Then we discovered that they were scurrying to +the left in the hope of gaining the river-bank, thus +showing that they did not hope to cross the swamp.</p> + +<p>The temptation was too great to be resisted, and +Gabriel raised his weapon as a signal that we should +fire at the targets before us.</p> + +<p>There was no reason why we could not take careful +aim, and at the first volley it was possible to see +the line of scarlet waver, thus showing that the fire<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span> +from the rear had struck terror into the hearts of +a score or more.</p> + +<p>“Give it to them once again,” Gabriel whispered, +hurriedly reloading his weapon, and we did more +than obey the command, for three volleys were fired +before we changed position. By that time, to our +intense surprise and delight, had been effected a +wondrous change in affairs.</p> + +<p>The redcoats must have believed, as indeed they +had good reason, that reinforcements had come up +in the rear. The smoke of our third volley had +not cleared away before we heard a ringing shout +from near the river-bank, and saw that line of red +broken here and there as the soldiers fled in a +panic.</p> + +<p>Verily we lads had done good work for the Cause +that night, and yet in accomplishing so much did +it appear as if we had defeated our purpose, for +with the enemy in hot flight there was no possibility +of our creeping around to the left of the line in +order to aid Archie.</p> + +<p>“We have destroyed the last hope for the poor +lad!” I cried as the result of the victory was thus +forced upon me, and there was a tone of sorrow in +Gabriel’s voice even though his words rang out +triumphantly:</p> + +<p>“We have done more than could have been accomplished +had a hundred men joined the general’s +force, for even then the odds would have been +in favor of the enemy, while now they are fortunately +ignorant of how many may be in their rear.”</p> + +<p>I heard the voice of General Marion as he urged<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span> +his men to spur their horses hard in order that they +might slay or capture the fugitives before they +could reach the shelter of the forest which lay between +the river and the swamp, and I dragged myself +as rapidly as possible over the mire to solid +ground in order to join in the chase, but feeling +as sore at heart as if we had suffered defeat instead +of having won a signal victory.</p> + +<p>We lads had no opportunity to take part in the +chase. The horses of the enemy were picketed near +the bank of the river, as we soon learned, and +toward them the fugitives were making their way. +By the time we Minute Boys came up the greater +number of the redcoats were riding away hotly +pursued by our people, and we were left helpless +spectators of a most terrible scene. It was as if +here, there, and everywhere could be seen blotches +of red, even amid the gloom, which told of the dead +and wounded, for the fire of our people had been +most effective.</p> + +<p>I had seen scores of men shot down during the +siege of Charleston, but at such times there were +many near at hand to care for them, and the evidences +of the conflict were speedily borne away. +Here all the disabled remained where they had +fallen, and the cries for help, mingled with moans +of pain, were most distressing.</p> + +<p>We lads forgot that those who called upon us +were enemies; forgot everything save the need of +ministering to the poor creatures who had fallen +under our own fire.</p> + +<p>A British soldier near where I had halted was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span> +begging for water, and it must have been the cry +of delirium, for the fever of thirst could not have +fastened upon him so strongly as appeared to be +the case, in so short a time. I did not stop to +think of this, but ran with all speed toward the +river, bent on relieving as much of war’s cruelty +as lay within my power; but on gaining the edge +of the stream I came full upon a man who was +bending over another as if robbing him. In a +twinkling I had halted and pressed my musket +against the fellow’s head, when, greatly to my surprise, +up rose none other than old Peter, who cried +in a tone of relief as he recognized me:</p> + +<p>“Look yere, Marse Randolph, don’ you see wha’ +I done gone found?”</p> + +<p>It was Archie, who lay upon the ground bound! +When I came up Peter was trying to remove a gag +from his mouth! It can readily be supposed how +quickly my sorrow turned to rejoicing, and I plied +the dear fellow with questions while aiding old +Peter in his task, although it was impossible for +him to make answer until the belt which held in +place the wad of grass had been unbuckled.</p> + +<p>“Tell me about it, lad, as soon as you are in a +condition to speak. How did that Tory cur chance +to leave you here? I had sooner thought he would +have put a bullet through your head.”</p> + +<p>“And perhaps he might if our people had not +come up so quickly,” Archie replied, speaking with +difficulty because his jaws were numb and cramped +from having been held open so long by the cruel +gag.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span>Before he could say more a wounded man lying +close at hand cried out piteously, begging for us to +drag him to the water’s edge where he might bathe +his shattered limb, and we set about the task, working +as tenderly, I am glad to say, as if he had been +one of our comrades. From that time until near +daybreak, we who called ourselves the Minute Boys +of South Carolina acted the part of nurses, not only +among those of our own people, six of whom had +been wounded and one killed, but toward the enemy.</p> + +<p>Archie did his full share of the work, and I question +if any of us lads knew when General Marion +and his followers came back to camp, further pursuit +being impossible because of the darkness, and +the thick undergrowth into which the fugitives had +ridden.</p> + +<p>Not until the wounded on both sides had been +cared for to the best of our poor ability did we +have time to look about the encampment, and then +we learned that here, as at the last engagement, the +foe had left behind him plunder of all kinds; so +much that when once it was carried to Snow’s +Island we would have sufficient to outfit as many +of our people as might answer the general’s summons.</p> + +<p>In addition to the camp equipment, provisions, +and ammunition which had thus come into our possession, +we had a large number of horses which +the troopers gathered in as they returned from the +chase—twenty-eight all told, I believe. Before +setting about getting breakfast we three lads selected +from the animals such as pleased our fancy,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span> +Captain Horry having given word that we were +to make our choice.</p> + +<p>Then we sat down in front of the fire to toast +bacon and bread while we made a plentiful supply +of coffee, helping ourselves generously from the +stores which the panic-stricken soldiers of the king +had left behind.</p> + +<p>Not until this moment did we have opportunity +to hear Archie’s story, and the lad told it in few +words, since indeed it could not be spun out to any +length, because of the fact that he had spent the +greater portion of the time bound and gagged, unable +to see what was going on about him.</p> + +<p>It seems that within five minutes after we left +him in charge of the horses, four men came through +the woods directly upon him and his prisoner. +Even at the very instant he was about to cry out +a warning to us, one of the troopers caught him +by the throat. Seth Hastings was set free, as a +matter of course, and when he told these men that +we had gone to spy out the camp, one of them was +sent to the rear with Archie and the horses, while +the others followed us. The poor lad felt positive +we would be captured, for escape seemed impossible, +but as the moments went by and no more prisoners +were brought in, his hopes grew high.</p> + +<p>“I knew that I should not remain long with +those troopers if you lads were at liberty,” he said +confidently, “and therefore counted on a speedy +deliverance, unless peradventure Seth Hastings +shot me offhand, as I make no question the cur +would have done had he dared. Even while I was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span> +being led by a roundabout way to the encampment +he would have struck me, but that the soldier +threatened direst punishment if he dared lift his +hand against a prisoner, and the villain was too +much of a coward to do other than obey.”</p> + +<p>Once in the encampment, Archie was taken before +Captain Barfield, who did not think it necessary +to spend overly much time on him after asking +for what purpose he had come. The lad could do +no less than tell the truth, for Seth Hastings had already +been made aware of the strength of our +people, and also knew that Gabriel and I had crept +forward for the sole purpose of learning the +strength and position of the enemy.</p> + +<p>“I was triced up to a tree, but not in any barbarous +fashion,” Archie continued, as he made a +fresh attack upon the redcoats’ bacon, “and if it +had not been for Seth Hastings I should have considered +myself exceedingly fortunate; but that miserable +whelp, who was aching to maltreat me but +not daring to raise a hand, spent his time picturing +what would be the fate of our people once they +were so foolish to make an attack upon such a large +force of well-drilled soldiers. It was not that I +believed the fellow, or that he frightened me, but +you well know how annoying the buzz of a mosquito +is, and how disquieting the rattle of a snake. +Therefore you can understand that the time was +not passed pleasantly by me. I firmly believed you +fellows would come shortly after night had set in, +but must confess that I had little faith in the ability +of our people to overcome so strong a company.”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_p112a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p112a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">“IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR SETH HASTINGS, I SHOULD HAVE +CONSIDERED MYSELF EXCEEDINGLY FORTUNATE.”</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span>“Then you were not gagged all this while?” I +asked, and he replied:</p> + +<p>“Not until the first alarm was given, and then +Seth Hastings himself was the one who did the +deed, thrusting a bunch of grass into my mouth +even at the moment when I opened it, hoping by the +sound of my voice you would know where I was. +Then he unloosed me from the tree, trussing me +up as you have seen, with the intention, I believe, +of dragging me so far away that he could work +his will without fear of the consequences. In fact, +he did give me a few hard blows; but I was so +excited by the noise of the battle, so fearful lest +you would not come off victorious, that he might +have inflicted double punishment without my being +aware of what he was about.”</p> + +<p>We lads were yet around the camp-fire satisfying +our hunger and curiosity at the same time, when, +shortly after break of day, orders were given for +all hands to set about making ready for the march. +It seemed to be understood without question that +we were to retreat to Snow’s Island, for the double +purpose of carrying there our plunder, and gaining +a place where we could better resist an attack, for +unless these soldiers of the king were arrant cowards +they would soon recover from the panic into +which we had driven them, and return to make +reprisals.</p> + +<p>Every horse was loaded with as heavy a burden +as he could carry, and so also were the men. Even +then we were forced to leave behind much which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span> +might have been of greatest value to those who +were struggling for the Cause.</p> + +<p>There was not one among us, save the officers +themselves, who did not believe we would spend the +night on Snow’s Island, therefore great was our +surprise when, after a march of about two hours, +we were halted, and three members of the company +told off to take charge of the plunder and spare +horses.</p> + +<p>While we were looking at each other wondering +what could be the reason for such an odd proceeding, +the command was given that each man, save the +three already spoken of, was to take from the general +store as much of provisions for himself, and +provender for his horse, as would suffice during +eight and forty hours, all of which was to be packed +behind the rider in the most convenient form for +carrying.</p> + +<p>This done, the company, with the exception of +those who had been detailed to camp service, was +sent forward at a leisurely pace southward, making +no further halt until the sun was high in the +heavens, when we were come to a ford on the Black +River six or seven miles south of Kingstree.</p> + +<p>Here it was announced that men and horses +would be allowed a rest of an hour. General +Marion and Captain Horry, as if incapable of feeling +fatigue, rode ahead nearly due west, leaving us +alone.</p> + +<p>“What is the meaning of this?” I asked while +unsaddling my horse that his back might be washed,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span> +and Gabriel replied with a laugh which had in it +considerable of satisfaction:</p> + +<p>“I am of the opinion that our commander does +not intend to sit still and gloat over his laurels.”</p> + +<p>“Meaning that he counts on striking another +blow at once?” Archie asked in surprise.</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, that is what I think he will do. +Francis ever believed that in warfare the weaker +army should be constantly the aggressor so far as +possible, and he is, if I mistake not, now simply +carrying out his own theory as to how it may be +possible for raw recruits, who love their country, +to worst a superior force.”</p> + +<p>I was by no means averse to aiding in such a +plan; but it appeared to me that if we were thus +to ride to and fro over the country, alternately +fighting and running away, the chances of recruiting +the ranks of the Minute Boys would be slight +indeed. I had counted that we might be able to go +here and there where we knew certain lads lived, +and thus enlist them; but it looked just then as if +our party of five was to constitute the entire +strength of the Minute Boys of South Carolina.</p> + +<p>Shortly before the expiration of the time set for +the halt, General Marion and Captain Horry returned, +and when next we advanced it was in the +direction they had scouted. We rode at a fairly +good pace until arriving at the road leading from +Georgetown to Nelson’s Ferry, and then I began +to have an inkling of what was our purpose in this +section of the country.</p> + +<p>It is well known that the “war-path” from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> +Charleston to Camden crosses the Santee River at +Nelson’s Ferry, and there above all other places +would one who was eager for fight be likely to get +his fill.</p> + +<p>In order to avoid dwelling too long on what +others may consider unimportant details, I have said +nothing regarding this day’s march, but must set +down the fact that more than once during the ride +had we learned from white men and negroes who +remained true to the Cause, additional particulars +concerning the blunder of General Gates, and before +arriving at the Georgetown road we understood +beyond a peradventure that the story told by +Seth Hastings was only untrue in so far as it did +not contain all the disaster which had befallen the +American army.</p> + +<p>Now we knew how many prisoners had been +taken during the much-to-be-regretted engagement, +and, what was more to the purpose, learned that our +unfortunate countrymen were being sent as rapidly +as possible from the scene of the one-sided conflict +to Charleston.</p> + +<p>While we were riding along the highway, Gabriel, +Archie, and I side by side with the two Marshall +boys, and old Peter directly in our rear, a sudden +thought came to my mind, and turning in the saddle, +I asked:</p> + +<p>“Are you lads well acquainted with the country +hereabout?” and Edward Marshall replied:</p> + +<p>“It is as familiar as our own plantation.”</p> + +<p>“Then tell me, if those troopers whom we stirred +up last night did not recover courage sufficient to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span> +come back in search of us, where would they be +most like to go?”</p> + +<p>“Nelson’s Ferry is the only place I can think +of as at all likely.”</p> + +<p>“You are hitting the truth closely,” Gabriel said +as if it were possible to read my thoughts.</p> + +<p>“But of what was I thinking?” I asked laughingly.</p> + +<p>“As to why we are going to Nelson’s Ferry.”</p> + +<p>“In that you are wrong, lad. I asked our comrade +where those whom we whipped last night +would be most likely to go, because with them rides +Seth Hastings, unless they have grown weary of +such a traitor as he, and it is that same cur I am +aching to meet once more. It would pain me much +to know we were riding directly away from where +it may be possible to come upon him.”</p> + +<p>“He had already gone out of my mind, so intent +was I upon the errand which it seems probable we +are bent on,” Gabriel said thoughtfully. “I believe +we shall be led to better work than that of punishing +a dirty traitor.”</p> + +<p>“Now, what mean you?” I asked irritably, for +it was to me as if the lad tried to speak riddles.</p> + +<p>“We have already learned that the prisoners +which Lord Cornwallis took are being sent to +Charleston as rapidly as possible, and you know +as well as do I that they must cross the river at +Nelson’s Ferry. Therefore am I believing that it is +our commander’s purpose to do whatsoever he may +toward freeing those unfortunates, and in such +work he will be striking another blow at the enemy.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span>On the instant my desire for revenge was forgotten. +I no longer felt conscious of fatigue, and +would have cried out against our making a halt +just then, even though but a few moments before +I had been hoping the word to camp for the night +might be given. To have a hand in the freeing of +those who had been captured through a blunder—even +though it can be called by no worse name—of +their commander, was sufficient to set all +my nerves a-tingle, and I hoped fervently that +Gabriel was not mistaken in his guessing.</p> + +<p>We who called ourselves Minute Boys were yet +eagerly discussing the possibility which had suddenly +presented itself, when one of the troopers +came riding back from the front, and drawing rein +on approaching us lads, said:</p> + +<p>“The general would speak with you.”</p> + +<p>“With whom?” I asked quickly, believing some +one was needed for an especial service, and fearing +lest Gabriel might have been signalled out for the +honor, leaving us behind.</p> + +<p>“The word was sent to the lads, and since you +five are all the youngsters we have with us, I’m +counting you’re the ones the commander meant,” +the man said with a smile, as he turned his horse +and spurred forward again.</p> + +“The Minute Boys may not count for much in +the way of numbers, but surely it seems as if there +was work for them to do in this kind of warfare,” +Archie cried gleefully, and one would have thought, +as he urged his horse forward, eager to gain the +advance over Gabriel and me, that some great prize<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span></p> +awaited him, instead of what might be a mission +which would end with his death. + +<p>There was not much of military stiffness in this +“ragged army” of General Marion’s, and we lads +rode up like a party of schoolboys until coming +abreast of the general, when we reined in familiarly +by his side, but without halting. He welcomed us +with a smile and a nod, heeding not the fact that +we had failed to salute properly, and said in a +brotherly tone:</p> + +<p>“We should be near about twenty miles from +Nelson’s Ferry.”</p> + +<p>“Well?” cried Gabriel eagerly as the general +ceased speaking.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you have already guessed our destination, +and I am telling you nothing new when I say +that probably early to-morrow morning there will +be many men from Cornwallis’s army cross at the +ferry with American prisoners. Now it is important +I should have early information of such +movements, and to that end have sent for you lads, +because, small though this company is, it would +awaken suspicion in the minds of the Tories living +near about if we should be seen, whereas you lads +would not be so likely to attract attention.”</p> + +<p>“When are we to start, sir?” Archie cried joyously, +not waiting for the command to be given, and +General Marion continued, heedless of the interruption:</p> + +<p>“Any force coming from Camden will make certain +halt near about the ferry. I propose that this +troop go into camp within an hour, and that you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> +ride on along the river-bank, keeping under cover +as much as may be, until discovering the approach +of the enemy. Then you are to wait only so long +as may be necessary to learn how strong he is in +numbers, before riding back to Tar Heel Creek, on +the first bend of which we shall be encamped. You +know the place, Gabriel? It is where we have often +slept while hunting.”</p> + +<p>“Shall we set off now, sir?” I asked, tightening +my horse’s rein.</p> + +<p>“There is no reason why you should not ride +with us so far as we are counting on going, and +when word to halt is next given you are to continue +on without making unnecessary show of having +been sent on a mission.”</p> + +<p>We all understood this to mean that it was not +well the remainder of our force should know exactly +what we were about, and I set the example of +saluting him as a soldier should his commander, +after which we fell back to our proper places in the +line, our hearts beating high with excitement and +hope, for it seemed probable we might not only be +able to free some of our people who were being +driven like sheep into the prison-ships, but at the +same time strike a blow for ourselves upon that +traitorous cur, Seth Hastings.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VII<br> + +<small>NELSON’S FERRY</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Edward</span> and Joseph Marshall were in high glee +at thus being allowed to undertake a mission of +danger, or as they themselves put it, “were feeling +right well satisfied because commands had been +given to the Minute Boys as if they were in truth +an independent company.”</p> + +<p>“Take care not to be too careless in your gratification,” +Gabriel said warningly, “else are you like +to advertise among the men that which it appears +to me the general intended should be kept secret.”</p> + +<p>“What harm would come if they suspected that +we were going out on a scout?” Joseph asked +quickly.</p> + +<p>“That I am not able to say; but certain it is +we should try our best at doing what the commander +wishes. Otherwise might we interfere with +his affairs.”</p> + +<p>I saw, or fancied I did, that the Marshall boys +were disgruntled whenever Gabriel gave them advice. +Not having become thoroughly well acquainted +with the dear lad, they seemed to have +an idea he was reading them a lesson, when in +truth he was speaking as one boy to another.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> +Therefore did I change the subject of conversation, +by idly questioning as to how near General Marion +proposed to advance toward the ferry without halting.</p> + +<p>My attempt was successful, for straightway the +Marshall boys began discussing the possibility of +our being able to liberate any of the prisoners, and +this was a subject which we could dwell upon without +fear of exposing the plans as set down by the +general.</p> + +<p>The company rode, as nearly as I could judge, +for an hour more, and then we Minute Boys continued +on, when the “ragged army” was halted, +much as if we had not heard the order. Now once +more does it seem necessary I should review the +position of affairs, so far as concerns this body of +men with whom we had joined fortunes.</p> + +<p>It was true we might strike a signal blow in the +vicinity of Nelson’s Ferry, thereby releasing a +greater or less number of those who would be taken +to the horrible torture of the prison-ships but for +our intervention. Yet he who reads should remember +that ours was probably the only armed force +within the Carolinas which remained true to the +Colonies; then bear in mind that the Britishers +overran our land even as did the locusts of old, and +say how might a small squad like ours oppose those +which the king had sent against us.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_p122a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p122a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">“‘I PROPOSE THAT WE HALT HERE.’”</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Surely for us of the Southern Colonies, this night, +when we five set out to spy upon the victorious +troops coming down from Camden with our friends +as prisoners, was the most desperate for the Cause +ever known. We were beaten, hemmed in, and +like rats in a corner, could only make one desperate +fight, not against death, but simply as proof that +our courage held good even until the last moment.</p> + +<p>When we passed General Marion and Captain +Horry at the head of the column, both sat their +horses motionless as statues, looking neither to the +right nor the left, but each, as it were, peering into +the recesses of his own heart, asking in what manner +the end would come. It seemed to me as if +we were taking final leave of them; as if this parting +was to be the last.</p> + +<p>More than that I saw nothing, and five minutes +later, that little handful of Carolinian patriots, tried +and true, were left behind, while we five lads rode +forward, hoping against hope that it might be possible +for us to accomplish something toward showing +the British king how strong in our hearts was +the desire for liberty.</p> + +<p>Our horses, jaded by the long march of the day, +went forward slowly, and we had not the heart to +spur them on, because it was much as if they shared +our feelings.</p> + +<p>I believe we were about midway between where +our people had halted and Nelson’s Ferry, when +Gabriel reined in his horse as he said, with the air +of one who even while speaking is taking counsel +with himself:</p> + +<p>“I propose that we halt here. Surely the beasts +must be in good condition when it becomes necessary +for us to return with an account of what has +been done, and now I question whether we could<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span> +keep them at a trot an hour longer. We shall all +be the better for the work in hand if we rest until +an hour past midnight.”</p> + +<p>He had started off at right angles with the highway +while speaking, we following perforce, and +when the road was hidden from view by the foliage, +he stopped once more.</p> + +<p>A better place for camping could not have been +found. A tiny brook ran through a grove of pines +where the underbrush was so dense as to form +ample hiding-place as well as shelter from the dews +of night. There was little green feed for the horses; +but we carried a goodly store of grain on our saddles, +and, heedless of the possible necessities of the +future, which seemed so dark, we allowed the tired +steeds to eat their pleasure from the store. Such +food as we had, and it was, as I have already said, +that which we took from the enemy’s camp, we ate, +and then, lame and sore in every joint from the +long hours in the saddle, laid ourselves down for +perchance the last sleep on this earth.</p> + +<p>There was no desire for conversation; even the +Marshall boys, overjoyed as they had been at being +allowed to take part in the work of danger, appeared +to have come to a realization of all this +scout might mean for us, and had ceased to speculate +upon what it might be possible for us to do.</p> + +<p>My eyes were closed in slumber within two or +three minutes after I was thus stretched at full +length upon the bed of pine-needles, and it seemed +as if I had slept several hours when something—I +know not what—awakened me.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span>There was no movement on either hand, and even +the light of the stars did not penetrate the thicket; +yet I could see that the horses were lying down; +that my comrades were wrapt in slumber, and it +puzzled me to make out why I was thus wakeful.</p> + +<p>Then, turning my head for no other reason than +to make a change of position, I saw what appeared +to be the reflection of a camp-fire through the underbrush. +When one knows that he is surrounded by +enemies, the slightest thing out of the ordinary +arouses his suspicions, and although this gleam of +light was so faint that at another time I would have +given no heed to it, now it seemed absolutely necessary +I should understand the cause.</p> + +<p>Rising cautiously to my feet lest I disturb the +tired lads around me, I was on the point of advancing, +even while saying to myself that I had grown +over-suspicious, when suddenly there came between +my eyes and the tiny flame three dark figures.</p> + +<p>Only at this sign of danger did I realize that I +had arisen without taking up the weapon which lay +by my side when I fell asleep, and to correct such +unsoldierly oversight I turned to get my musket, at +the same time laying my hand over Gabriel’s mouth +that he might not make an outcry as I awakened +him.</p> + +<p>The dear lad struggled to rise on the instant, +pressing my hand to show that he understood +danger of some kind was near at hand, and as I +released him he sprang lightly to his feet, musket +in hand.</p> + +<p>Then, before I could pick up my gun, there came<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> +on the still air a cautious hiss like unto the noise +which it is wrongly said is made by a serpent, and I +wheeled about quickly, knowing that if those outlines +I had seen were enemies, they surely would +not be thus giving warning of their approach.</p> + +<p>Gabriel advanced a few paces, uttering the low +hoot of an owl, and then assured that this announcement +had been understood, three strangers +advanced swiftly yet silently toward us.</p> + +<p>Before they were come up, however, I had my +musket ready for immediate use in case it should +so chance their intentions were not friendly; but +such precaution was needless, for as the foremost +of the strangers came near, Gabriel seized him by +the hands.</p> + +<p>“Who is it?” I whispered with impatient curiosity, +and Gabriel replied:</p> + +<p>“This is Jacob Breen, a neighbor of ours in St. +John’s Parish, whom I would have gone in search +of if we had had time on that day we stopped at +my home.”</p> + +<p>“And with me are Henry Moulton and Jared +Green,” the newcomer said in the faintest of whispers, +adding immediately afterward, “Come farther +back into the thicket, for yonder, where you may +see that tiny flame, is encamped a squad of Britishers, +who have with them a lad whom, if I mistake +not, I have seen in Charleston.”</p> + +<p>“Seth Hastings!” burst from the lips of both +Gabriel and me, and then he who was known as +Jacob Breen proposed leaving our comrades peacefully +sleeping, for so weary were the poor fellows<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span> +that it would have required something more than a +whispered conversation to have awakened them, +while we five went forward.</p> + +<p>Not until we had walked two or three minutes, +and then come upon a dense thicket, did we halt, +when Gabriel squatted upon the ground, which +movement we took as a token that we should follow +his example, lest even in the gloom of the night our +forms might be seen by some prowling enemy if +we remained erect.</p> + +<p>There, huddled together like frightened sheep, +we were completely hidden, and I asked, before +any one else could speak, the question which had +come to my mind when Gabriel spoke the name of +Jacob Breen:</p> + +<p>“How did you come to find us in the darkness?”</p> + +<p>“We were riding from home, counting to gain +Snow’s Island to-morrow morning, travelling at +night rather than in the day because of knowing +there were so many redcoats hereabout, when we +came upon old Peter.”</p> + +<p>“Then you must have gone on to where the +command is halted.”</p> + +<p>“I know not what you mean by that,” Jacob +replied in perplexity. “We met the negro less than +a quarter of a mile up the road, and there he remains +looking after our horses.”</p> + +<p>Now indeed was I puzzled, as well I might be, +for when we left the “ragged army,” Peter was +riding in the rear of the force as if his only desire +was to hear the word given which should halt that +company, and I said to Gabriel in my perplexity:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span>“Can you make out what your friend means, +lad?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that I can, William Rufus. When old +Peter saw us riding away after word had been +given to halt, he understood what was in the wind, +for that old negro’s head isn’t as thick as you may +think. Without permission from my brother he has +followed, keeping just far enough in the rear to +prevent us from seeing or hearing him, while at the +same time he could get a fairly good idea of what +we were about.”</p> + +<p>“It is fortunate for us that he did so,” Jared +Green said in a matter-of-fact tone, “else might we +have gone on to meet the general’s forces, when, if +what Peter tells us be true, this is where we belong.”</p> + +<p>“What did he tell you?” Gabriel asked curiously.</p> + +<p>“That you lads were forming an independent +command to be known as Minute Boys, and such +is the company we desire to join. Of course, when +we halted and turned back in search of you, the +remainder of the party went on, having been told +by the negro where they would probably find the +general and Captain Horry.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean by the remainder of the +party?” I cried, as a great hope sprung up in my +breast, and it was destined not to be dashed, for +the lad replied:</p> + +<p>“We numbered sixteen when at Gardine’s Ferry, +but we three were the only lads.”</p> + +<p>“Then Marion’s force will be nearly doubled!” +I cried in exultation, and while Gabriel did not give<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span> +words to his joy, I understood that he was no less +pleased with the information than myself.</p> + +<p>It was as if we forgot entirely that a squad of +the enemy lay near at hand, and not until Gabriel +had explained with considerable of detail what we +lads counted to do in the raising of a company of +Minute Boys, did I realize that it stood us in hand +to have a look at those whose camp-fire I had seen.</p> + +<p>“How many are there yonder of the enemy?” +Gabriel asked when I brought to his mind the fact +that we had other work than that of discussing +private matters, and Jacob Green replied:</p> + +<p>“Twelve or fourteen, counting the boy, and from +what we saw of the party it did not appear that +they were camping there for the night, but had +halted to await the coming of friends.”</p> + +<p>“Let us see if we can learn more concerning +them,” Gabriel suggested, and as we arose to our +feet I stepped aside, thus indicating that he was to +take the lead, for there was none in all the Colonies +who could do such work better.</p> + +<p>We advanced, making no more noise than would +have been caused by an Indian, for in those days +lads were trained to woodcraft from the time they +could go abroad, until we were come to the edge +of the road, on the opposite side of which was the +fire, as if it had been built to attract attention. +Around it, sitting or lying on the ground, were a +dozen men or more, and on the side nearest us, +where we could have a good view of his face, was +that villainous traitor, Seth Hastings.</p> + +<p>Nearby were tethered the steeds belonging to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span> +party, and because there were no pack-horses among +them, I inferred that this squad had been sent out +from Nelson’s Ferry to guide some expected party +to a certain encampment.</p> + +<p>At the moment, however, I did not give full rein +to my speculations, for the fellows were talking +with Seth Hastings, and it stood us in hand to +listen, because the information to be gained might +be valuable. It would seem as if the men had been +questioning Seth Hastings as to his ability to do +something which had been spoken of, for one of +them said when I came within earshot:</p> + +<p>“It’s a blind chase, this searching for a party of +rebels who by this time may have returned home, +hoping to keep secret the part they have been playing.”</p> + +<p>To this Seth Hastings replied quickly, as if +speaking of a friend:</p> + +<p>“Francis Marion will never lay down his arms +so long as one other can be found to stand by +him.”</p> + +<p>“But what reason have we for believing you can +lead us directly to him?”</p> + +<p>“Because I know his haunts,” the scoundrel said, +as if he was telling the truth. “So far all they +have accomplished has been done by surprising +your people, and I guarantee that two companies +of soldiers like you, who shall come out determined +not to be taken off your guard, will make a different +showing.”</p> + +<p>“Of that I have no question; but the rebels, +knowing well the country, can easily disperse between<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span> +the time we have ferreted them out and word +has been sent back to the regiment. Then again, we +must trust to your finding them, which I misdoubt +greatly, else are you a keener lad than I have heretofore +seen in the Carolinas.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that one who wore the straps of a +sergeant, and was evidently the leader of the squad, +said decidedly, as if he would put an end to the +discussion without further words:</p> + +<p>“Even though the rebels may be where this lad +has stated, I fail to see what excuse we have for +advancing without orders. What is to be gained +by spending the night in the saddle, when we may +remain quietly until daylight, perhaps?”</p> + +<p>“For my part,” another trooper added, “I would +rather sleep here than go scouting among the trees +after such a slippery customer as Marion is said +to be. By holding closely to the orders given us, +we may lie down behind these bushes until those +whom we are expecting come up.”</p> + +<p>“And then,” the sergeant added, “we have simply +to go back to Nelson’s Ferry, when those who have +remained idle in camp may watch over the hundred +or more scurvy rebels which are being brought +down from Camden.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that the troopers ceased speaking, +as if the matter had been definitely settled among +them, and we had no need to remain longer, since +we knew very much of that which the commander +had desired we should learn.</p> + +<p>I pressed Gabriel’s arm in token that it was time +we moved on, and he turned to retrace his steps at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span> +once, knowing, most like, that it was time for us to +be up and doing.</p> + +<p>When we were arrived at where our comrades +were sleeping I gave words to the perplexity which +was in my mind:</p> + +<p>“We know full well why the squad is camping +there, but how does it chance that Seth Hastings +can be with every party of redcoats whom we come +across?”</p> + +<p>“It would be of little benefit could we know of +his movements, because he was so thoroughly +frightened last night,” Gabriel said with a laugh; +“but the chances are that the men in Captain Barfield’s +command had had quite as much of the sneaking +traitor as they desired, and cast him off. In +making his way to Nelson’s Ferry, perhaps in the +rear of those whom he had lately called friends, the +scoundrel came upon this squad and attached himself +to it, promising, in order to gain friendship, +that he would lead them directly to General +Marion’s camping-place.”</p> + +<p>“Unless he makes a longer halt than he has since +we joined him, I question whether it can be said that +he ever does have a camping-place,” I replied, and +Gabriel interrupted, as if believing we had no time +for idle conversation:</p> + +<p>“It is plain we must first have a look at the +enemy near Nelson’s Ferry in order to be able to +give such information as is needed. Then must we +ride back at full speed, for, as it appears to me, +our work will then have been completed.”</p> + +<p>“There is no need of your going to Nelson’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span> +Ferry,” Jared Green said quickly, “for most likely +the general already has news regarding the situation +there. Our party had a good view of the camp +as we came up, and learned from those who lived +near by that the redcoats were halted there to take +charge of the prisoners which were to be brought +from Camden. They are scattered along the +water’s edge a full quarter of a mile on either side +of the ferry, and if it would be possible to come +upon them during the night, I question if they +could make very much of a stand.”</p> + +<p>I was eager to ride back at once with such report +as we would be able to give, for knowing now of +Seth Hastings’s whereabouts, I said that the next +time we made a dash that traitor should be my prisoner. +Gabriel was of the same mind, as I learned +when we awakened our comrades, and ten minutes +later we were leading our horses through the woods +at a respectable distance from the road, until having +come to where old Peter had stationed himself.</p> + +<p>The negro made no excuse for having followed +us, even when Gabriel told him harshly that he +should be reported to the general for having come +away without permission; but aided the new recruits +in mounting, and then got into his own saddle, +keeping silent all the while, as if the possible +reproof which he might receive from the commander +made but little difference to him.</p> + +<p>After mounting, our progress was no more rapid +than if we had remained on foot, for it seemed impossible +to urge the animals at a pace faster than +a walk, and I believed morning must be near at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span> +hand when we finally come to the place where our +people had halted.</p> + +<p>All of our men were not given over to slumber, +as we knew by our being challenged before understanding +how near to us were our friends, and five +minutes later we were standing by the side of the +general and Captain Horry, the former asking +without rising to his feet, as if his eyes had not +been closed in slumber:</p> + +<p>“What disaster has befallen you?”</p> + +<p>We soon gave him to understand that fortune +had played us a good turn, and immediately the +information was given both the officers were on +their feet. One would have said that neither had +ever known fatigue, to have seen the two as they +ran here and there shaking the slumberers into +wakefulness.</p> + +<p>I supposed the news we brought would have +caused some sensation in camp, but never believed +it would be acted upon so quickly. Within fifteen +minutes from the time of our being challenged by +the sentinel, every man was in the saddle, and we +eight lads who formed the company of Minute +Boys were riding at the head of the column in order +to point out the place where the soldiers and Seth +Hastings were encamped.</p> + +<p>We now learned that it was midnight; the tired +men and their horses had enjoyed six hours of rest, +and although our advance was not rapid, we pressed +forward with greater speed than I had believed +possible, for our own steeds appeared to be revived +by the companionship of the others.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span>Old Peter had not been reprimanded as was his +due; indeed the fact was that neither Gabriel nor +I had remembered to tell the general of his having +followed us, so great was the excitement after our +arrival at the camping-place, and he had no share +in my thoughts as we advanced, until suddenly he +came riding up from the rear, saying when he was +abreast of Gabriel:</p> + +<p>“Down yander am wha’ I stood wid de hosses, +Marse Gabriel,” and hearing this, our commander +gave the order to halt by bringing his own steed to +a standstill.</p> + +<p>But for the old negro we might have overridden +the place in ignorance of our whereabouts, and thus +we were spared the chagrin of acting as guides +while not being familiar with the ground. Without +delay eight men dismounted that they might continue +on under cover of the foliage, and thus surprise +the squad.</p> + +<p>All of us lads would have accompanied them, +but General Marion bade us remain where we were, +saying that we had already done enough of labor +that night, and in silence we waited to hear those +sounds which would tell that Seth Hastings was +in our power, although it would have pleased us +better to have had a hand in taking the traitor.</p> + +<p>However, no signal came to betoken a fight, and +as the minutes passed on in silence Captain Horry +grew impatient of delay, thinking, most likely, that +we might not be able to gain Nelson’s Ferry before +daybreak, therefore proposed that we move on at +a slow pace.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span>This we did until having come to the embers of a +camp-fire, where our scouts were awaiting us with +empty hands. Then it was that my heart grew +heavy with disappointment, for I understood, although +wholly ignorant of how it may have been +brought about, that once more Seth Hastings had +given us the slip.</p> + +<p>Lest I make too many words in the telling of +what may not seem to a stranger as of great importance, +let me say, without going into details, +that we soon came to guess at what had happened.</p> + +<p>It was most probable that the wretched prisoners +with their guards had come down the highway +while we were riding back to give the commander +the result of our efforts in the way of scouting, and +the squad we were eager to capture had gone, of +course, in the direction of Nelson’s Ferry as guide +to the newcomers.</p> + +<p>To me this was a most bitter disappointment, for +I had counted positively on seeing Seth Hastings +before we tried conclusions again with the enemy; +but our officers were of a different opinion.</p> + +<p>“It has happened most fortunately for us,” General +Marion said. “The noise of an encounter +might have given the alarm to those still farther on, +if peradventure those fellows had made a fight of +it, and the men guarding the prisoners would have +come up. Now the way is clear for our purpose, +and we have nought to do save ride directly on, taking +due care not to overrun the game.”</p> + +<p>“And in the meantime that sneaking cur will +have the chance to give us the slip,” I whispered to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span> +Gabriel, and the dear lad pressed my hand, as if +understanding how sore at heart I was, as he replied:</p> + +<p>“Please God, there are many long days yet ahead +of you and me, William Rufus, and before they come +to an end we will have triced up that young scoundrel +where there can be no danger of his giving +any more information to the redcoats.”</p> + +<p>Once more the “ragged regiment” moved on, +and what happened for a time I am unable to say +of my own knowledge, for I fell asleep while in the +saddle, regardless of my bitter disappointment because +Seth Hastings had escaped, not being conscious +of anything more until the halting of my +horse nearly threw me over his head.</p> + +<p>We had arrived within a mile of Nelson’s Ferry, +and it was yet night. Unless some unfortunate +accident occurred at the last moment, there would +soon be an opportunity of learning whether the +cream of the British army would hold firm under +such a surprise as we might be able to give +them.</p> + +<p>The purpose of the halt was not to reconnoitre, +as I had at first supposed, but in order that a squad +might be detached from our small force to gain +possession of the road in the swamp at the point +known as Horse Creek, while we were to attack +the main body in the rear.</p> + +<p>The scouts had been sent ahead half an hour before +my awakening, and now came back with the +report that the prisoners had arrived, the enemy +being yet encamped on the east bank of the creek,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span> +not having made an attempt to cross in the darkness.</p> + +<p>Once more would General Marion have a chance +to execute his favorite manœuvre, the only one by +which he could hope to win while the odds were so +heavily against him.</p> + +<p>Twenty minutes or more were spent in waiting +for the detachment to get into position at Horse +Creek, when the advance was resumed, this time +at a slow pace, lest the tread of our horses upon the +road should give the alarm.</p> + +<p>Despite the fact that I knew full well we would +soon be engaged in a deadly encounter, slumber +weighed heavily upon my eyelids, and it was only +with difficulty I could prevent them from closing. +Rather like one in a dream, than a lad who burned +to give his life for the Cause, I held myself in the +saddle, and it seemed as if no more than ten minutes +had elapsed when we were halted again, this +time so near the enemy that the gleam of his camp-fires +could be seen.</p> + +<p>General Marion’s force was about to be hurled +upon the best men in the king’s army, as we knew +full well, through the report given by those men who +had accompanied Jacob Breen and his comrades, +for they told us that the Prince of Wales’s Regiment +and a portion of the Sixty-third had been selected +to conduct the prisoners. Therefore was it reasonable +to suppose that there were considerably more +than three hundred men to be encountered.</p> + +<p>We who knew little or nothing of military tactics, +we who were mounted upon jaded steeds, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span> +half-stupefied through lack of sleep, were to charge +a camp of well-armed men, most likely in the best +possible condition, and if the end for us of the +Southern Colonies was near, it seemed as if this +was indeed the last moment on earth.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VIII<br> + +<small>THE PRISONERS</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> was no hope in my mind, as we stood +ready to begin the attack upon the redcoats who +guarded the prisoners, that we might be successful, +and I fancied from his silence that Gabriel Marion +had much the same idea as I.</p> + +<p>Even with those new recruits which had just +joined us, the “ragged regiment” was yet no more +than a handful of men, who were about to try conclusions, +as I have already stated, against the pick +of the English forces. That we should be able to +ride through this camp, as we had the other two, +seemed an absolute impossibility, and, as the matter +presented itself to my mind, the utmost of success +which could be reasonably anticipated was that +while we engaged the attention of the escort, some +of the prisoners might succeed in escaping.</p> + +<p>I firmly believed that when this combat was +come to an end, we, who took the patriot side of +it, would have struck our last blow in behalf of the +Cause; for when it was ended there seemed little +probability any of us would be alive or at liberty.</p> + +<p>We lads who called ourselves the Minute Boys +made ready for the coming engagement by forming +a compact body, each being determined that we +would bear our share in this fight as a separate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span> +command, for we were like never to have another +opportunity of riding shoulder to shoulder in behalf +of the Cause.</p> + +<p>“It is not fair that Gabriel should ride in advance +of us, even though he be the leader,” Archie Gordon +said in a whisper during those brief moments when +we were awaiting the signal of attack. “There +are few of us lads, and each should have an equal +opportunity of showing whether it is in him to play +the part of a man.”</p> + +<p>“And that is what you shall have, lad,” Gabriel +replied as he pulled his horse back until standing +in line with the others, and he had no more than +spoken when General Marion said in a low tone, +but so distinctly that all could hear the words:</p> + +<p>“Follow me, comrades, and do not make the +mistake of thinking that this is anything of a desperate +dash, for you have but to do what has been +done twice before and victory will be ours beyond +a peradventure.”</p> + +<p>Then he spurred his horse forward without +further word of encouragement or command, and +in another instant we were riding at full speed +straight for the encampment where there was every +reason to believe three or four hundred well-trained, +well-armed soldiers were ready to receive us to the +best of their ability.</p> + +<p>Were it not that all this account of what was done +at Nelson’s Ferry by the handful of men under +General Marion’s command has been set down again +and again in the pages of history, I would hesitate +to tell the story, lest those who may read it accuse<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span> +me of drawing the long bow in order to make that +which we did appear all the more heroic. I am +free to confess that even now, as I look back upon +that night in memory, it seems more like some fantastical +dream than an absolute reality, for by all +the rules of war we should have been wiped out +of existence before we had come within striking +distance of the encampment.</p> + +<p>However, I am setting down only that which +was done, and there are hundreds of men living +to-day who can bear me out in every statement I +make.</p> + +<p>We were about midway from where the last halt +had been made and the British camp, which was +set up in true military order, with tents in abundance +and sentinels posted properly, when our commander +gave the word for us to make ready for +opening fire.</p> + +<p>“See to it that every shot counts!” he cried, +now that the redcoats could be seen pouring out +from their tents like so many wasps from their nest. +“If we can strike a sufficiently heavy blow at first, +the work is done before having been fairly begun, +therefore look well to your aim.”</p> + +<p>We were less than half a musket-shot distant +when the word to fire was given, and by this time +the surprised soldiers were gathered in a dense +mass, as if awaiting the word to form into line, +and he who would have failed to hit a target must +have shot wild indeed.</p> + +<p>The effect of this first volley was that men fell +by scores, one bullet most like wounding several,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span> +and the officers had not yet buckled on their finery +to receive us according to the British ideas of warfare, +when we were riding directly upon the soldiers, +who would have fought bravely enough had +they stood in proper alignment according to their +training.</p> + +<p>It was with these disciplined soldiers as it had +been with those we had previously encountered; +they were bewildered, frightened by what one of +them afterward called our “unsoldierly attack.” +Had we been sufficiently polite to give them due +warning that they might have formed in rank to +receive us, then indeed had we been wiped out as +one snuffs a candle. Or perchance, if the officers +had had time to show themselves in proper uniform, +then might the result have been different, but as it +was we rode straight through them, many leaping +into the stream to wade or swim across as best they +might, while others took to the woods on the right, +and the greater number fled before us, an undisciplined, +terrified mob. We gave them three volleys +as we rode on in pursuit for half a mile, the Minute +Boys cheering wildly because they had, as was indeed +the fact, ridden in the forefront of that stampede, +and then to my surprise came the word to +halt.</p> + +<p>While we were yet aquiver with the excitement +of the sudden dash and unexpected victory, came +the order to wheel about, and at full speed, as if +bent on retreating at the very instant he was victorious, +General Marion led us at our swiftest pace +back to the encampment.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span>Here we found about a hundred and fifty prisoners, +some of whom, when their guards fled, began +searching for weapons dropped by the redcoats +in their flight, and at the same time taking good +care to secure one or more horses.</p> + +<p>“Let every man follow this force!” General +Marion shouted, raising his voice to the full +strength of his lungs in order to make himself +heard by all, for many of the prisoners were very +nearly in the same state of bewilderment as were +those whom we had driven out of camp. But he +understood that some reason must be given, else +would those so lately released refuse to obey. “The +British will not go far before their officers are able +to bring them into something approaching order, +and then may we expect an attack. If you would +save yourselves now that we have freed you, obey +without questioning whatsoever commands may be +given!”</p> + +<p>He halted no longer than was necessary for those +who had been driven down from Camden like sheep, +to understand what he said, and then, urging our +horses at their best pace, we rode back over the +road just traversed.</p> + +<p>“And now, what?” Jacob Breen asked of me +in an angry tone. “Is this how General Marion +fights, by running away when he has the upper +hand of the enemy?”</p> + +<p>“It is not for us to question what he may or may +not do,” I said with considerable of sharpness in +my tone. “When a man has led such a handful +as followed him half an hour ago to the victory<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span> +which we have just won over so large a force, his +courage cannot be questioned.”</p> + +<p>All this I said as if in my mind everything had +been done as it should be, and yet I was sore even +as Jacob showed himself to be, because of what +looked like nothing more or less than a shameful +retreat. Gabriel rode by my side moodily, while +Archie Gordon did not venture to make any comments +upon our last success, thereby showing me +these two also were disturbed in mind.</p> + +<p>Our horses had been jaded some time before we +overrode the British camp, and now that we were +retracing our steps it was with difficulty they could +be forced forward at anything like a decent rate +of speed, while the prisoners, whose steeds were +comparatively fresh, would have pressed on in advance +but that Captain Horry and General Marion +forced them to remain in line, threatening to shoot +the first who should make any attempt at gaining +the lead.</p> + +<p>In this sorry fashion we travelled perhaps five +miles, and then we were come to what seemed an +advantageous position in the event of being attacked, +whereupon word was given to halt and +make preparation for defence.</p> + +<p>When the horses had been picketed amid the +timber of a small hill, one side of which formed +a bluff on the bank of the creek, and those whom we +released from captivity had fraternized with our +men, General Marion ordered them into line, coupling +such command with orders to his own force<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span> +to round the strangers up into shape if they were +not inclined to obey.</p> + +<p>I was filled with astonishment as we lads stood +somewhat apart from the remainder of the force +watching the proceedings, for I had supposed that +these men who had been rescued from a horrible +fate would be so thankful that every command +would be obeyed on the instant, whereas they +lounged here and there as if to show that they considered +themselves free from military authority.</p> + +<p>However, after a time, they were ranged in ranks +two or three deep, and our commander, with Captain +Horry, stood in front of them more like a +suppliant, as it seemed to me, than one who had +every right to be obeyed.</p> + +<p>Then, as if he had been a recruiting officer pleading +for enlistments, he told of what he hoped might +be done in the future toward ridding the Carolinas +of the enemy which overran the soil; he belittled +the disaster at Camden, put the blame where it belonged, +rather than upon the men themselves, and +concluded by asking that those who were willing +to join his “ragged regiment” step forward half +a dozen paces.</p> + +<p>I expected to see every man advance, for even +though they might not have had the love of country +so very strong in their hearts, gratitude because +of what had been done in their behalf should have +compelled them to do as our commander requested.</p> + +<p>Instead, however, to their shame be it said, only +sixteen of that one hundred and fifty presented +themselves as recruits, and this at a time when<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span> +their native land called for every hand which could +be raised in her defence!</p> + +<p>I am not mindful to dwell upon this disgraceful +event in the history of the Carolinas, but will hasten +over it by making some explanation, if indeed any +be needed, as to why we failed to enlist every man +who had been released that night.</p> + +<p>Instead of railing at the former prisoners, General +Marion called to his side those who had stepped +forward, and the remainder were allowed to discuss +the matter among themselves, most like with the +hope that others might yet decide to join their +force.</p> + +<p>Then it was that many of those who had shown +themselves to be cowards, as I looked at the matter, +began to make excuses as to why they were no +longer willing to battle against the yoke of the +king. Some said, as if the statement could not be +contradicted, that the Cause was already lost; +others declared that to fight longer was simply to +risk one’s life without an object; because the redcoats +already overrun the country, and Gates had +been defeated, there was not the slightest chance +we could even hold our liberty many days.</p> + +<p>Gabriel, Archie, and I made our way among +these men who wore the buff and blue, to hear +further reason as to why they had acted such a +cowardly part. It was the captain, one who should +have been the first to urge his men to enlist, who +said in reply to my questions:</p> + +<p>“Surely the Cause has none in the Carolinas +save this beggarly force to which you are attached,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span> +while the British occupy every advantageous point +in the country. Our people are dispersed or captured; +the Virginia and North Carolina militia are +scattered to the four winds; Sumter’s Legion has +been whipped by Tarleton, and their leader is fleeing +for his life. In addition to all that, here is a +copy of the order which Lord Clinton has sent to +the commandants of the different posts throughout +the Colonies.”</p> + +<p>Then the officer handed me a slip of paper on +which was written the following:</p> + +<p>“I have given orders that all the inhabitants of +this province who have subscribed and have taken +part in this revolt shall be punished with the greatest +rigor; and also those who will not turn out, that +they be imprisoned and their whole property taken +from them or destroyed. I have ordered in the +most positive manner that every militia man who +has borne arms with us and afterward joined the +enemy shall be immediately hanged.”</p> + +<p>Lad though I was, and all unused to such business, +I soon came to understand how hopeless would +be the effort to enlist any more of these men who +literally owed us their lives, and said to Gabriel and +Archie:</p> + +<p>“Let us gain such rest as may be possible while +halting here, for it is wasting breath and time to +argue with men who, instead of asking for reasons +as to why they ought to defend their country, +should be eager to get an opportunity.”</p> + +<p>Then we Minute Boys camped by ourselves—that +is to say, lay down on the ground in the same<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span> +place, for those brave hearts of Carolina who fought +against the king had nothing whatsoever of camp +equipage. Our company now numbered eight, and +it seemed to me, when taken into comparison with +General Marion’s “ragged regiment,” that we were +in great strength.</p> + +<p>The disappointment of gaining only sixteen recruits +when we should have had a hundred and +fifty, and the certainty that those whom we had +stampeded would soon be hot on our trail, did not +prevent us from sleeping during such time as the +halt was continued, and when we were awakened +an hour after sunset, it seemed to me as if the +desire for yet more slumber was so great that it +could not be shaken off.</p> + +<p>I was ashamed of such weakness very shortly +afterward, when I learned that neither our commander +nor Captain Horry had closed their eyes, +but busied themselves while we rested in learning +whatsoever they might of the situation by questioning +those whom we had released. Thus it was +they learned that Colonel Wemyss was in command +of the escort from whom we had taken the prisoners. +We knew he was a brave officer, who served +his king as loyally as we tried to serve the Colonies, +and would not rest content under the disgrace we +had put upon him. Therefore was it certain he +would come in pursuit of us as soon as might +be.</p> + +<p>This information was not kept secret from the +men. In fact, during such time as I had the good +fortune to serve under Francis Marion, I never<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span> +knew him to conceal from his force, whether it was +much or small, the true condition of affairs.</p> + +<p>Therefore no one was surprised at hearing that +we had a long march before us. Captain Horry +stated openly that our destination would be Hope +Mountain, where it was believed we could not only +hold our own against those whom we had every +reason to believe were to come in pursuit, but would +be in a district where was every reason to believe +we might find men who had more of blood in their +veins than those whom Colonel Wemyss had driven +like cattle down from Camden.</p> + +<p>While we were getting breakfast and feeding +the horses, a messenger was despatched to Snow’s +Island to give information there as to our movements, +and also instruct those left in charge of the +camp to bring whatsoever of stores and ammunition +might be readily transported to the new encampment. +Then we were ordered to make ready +for the march within reasonable time, and as our +people brought out food from their wallets to +break their fast, those faint-hearted prisoners who +dared not stand up like men because my Lord Clinton +had sent out his bombastic proclamations far +and near urged that we share with them our scanty +allowance of food, thus giving me the keen satisfaction +of telling one of that weak-kneed crowd +how I would serve out those who refused to stand +up for themselves.</p> + +<p>“Whatsoever I have shall ever be shared with +those who are serving the Cause,” I said, and no +doubt spoke to my elders in a way unbecoming a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span> +lad, “but when men who do not dare to brave the +threats of those who serve the king, ask for food, +I would deny it them even though they were starving, +and I had of such abundance that I knew not +what disposition to make of it.”</p> + +<p>Some of the hungry cowards laughed at me, but +that did not dispel the satisfaction which was mine +at thus having an opportunity of giving free words +to the angry thoughts which had been mine since +the moment they failed to respond to the commander’s +request.</p> + +<p>The “ragged regiment” was on the march before +the sun was two hours high, we Minute Boys +riding side by side, as may be supposed, and it was +only natural that we should speak of the events of +the previous night.</p> + +<p>Now it must not be supposed that until this time +we had wholly forgotten that traitor Seth Hastings. +More than once during the hours of darkness after +we had put the redcoats to flight, did we give words +to our disappointment at having failed even to see +the cur; but now while we had so much of leisure +on our hands Archie Gordon must needs be laying +plans to capture him. To have heard the lad talk +one might have fancied we Minute Boys were of +sufficient numbers to make an attack wheresoever +it pleased us, as can be seen from the proposition +which he made. I am setting it down here, not that +it adds interest to the story which I am trying to +tell, but rather in order to show how much of +courage there was in the little fellow’s heart.</p> + +<p>“If it so be this Colonel Wemyss comes in chase<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span> +of us, as General Marion believes, why may we +Minute Boys not lie in ambush, after having +learned of the direction in which he is to advance, +and if Seth Hastings yet remains with that command, +boldly cut him out of the force.</p> + +<p>“And would you enlist in any such harebrained +venture as that, lad?” Jacob Breen asked in surprise, +whereupon Archie replied in a matter-of-fact +tone:</p> + +<p>“Why should I not? There is no more of +danger in it than in this force falling upon the redcoats +at Nelson’s Ferry.”</p> + +<p>Captain Horry came riding up from the rear just +at this moment, and, hearing a portion of the remark, +asked curiously as to what proposition we +were discussing. I repeated what our comrade had +said, and the captain seemed to think there was +something comical in it, for he laughed heartily as +he spurred his horse forward to tell the story to +the commander.</p> + +<p>We were arrived at Hope Mountain shortly after +noon, and at once set about making an imitation of +a regular camp by building shelters of brushwood, +for there was every likelihood we would remain +here many days. We Minute Boys built quite a +stately hut for ourselves, with a shelter for the +horses immediately in the rear, so that when it +rained they might not get wet, therefore forcing +us to spend a long time in caring for them lest they +take cold. Horses, it must be understood, were to +people in our position next in importance to ammunition, +and he who had not groomed and fed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span> +his steed before caring for himself would most +likely have heard a sharp reprimand from one of +the officers.</p> + +<p>We Minute Boys were proud of our handiwork +when the camp was finished, and, had we so desired, +could have had from among the men many comrades, +for our quarters were most comfortable as +compared with some of the shelters set up by the +more indolent of the force.</p> + +<p>Before another four and twenty hours had passed +those who were left in charge of the supplies at +Snow’s Island arrived with all the led horses that +could be procured, each bearing a full burden of +provender or provisions, and on the third day +twenty of our people rode across the swamp to +bring back yet more stores; therefore when this +last expedition returned we had no fear of suffering +from lack of food even though we remained +fully two weeks in this encampment at the foot of +the mountain.</p> + +<p>The days were passed in idleness, save for the +grooming of the horses, and although not a trooper +left the camp, we were kept well informed regarding +the movements of the enemy, by such of the +people roundabout as were friendly to the Cause.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was we heard sad news from Camden, +when the humane and tender-hearted Lord +Cornwallis hanged eight old men and seven boys, +prisoners he had taken after the battle, simply because +there was a suspicion that they may have been +in the so-called rebellion. From every quarter +came stories of barbarity and excesses committed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span> +by the British officers, and that which seemed like +a great misfortune soon proved, despite the horror, +to be a blessing in disguise, for it drove into our +ranks every man from the surrounding country, +who had ever been charged, whether rightfully or +no, with taking any part whatsoever in resistance to +the king’s oppressions.</p> + +<p>Within six days there were enrolled among the +followers of General Marion no less than five hundred +and fifty good men, tried and true, but it is +not to be supposed that the entire force remained +in camp. In fact, although the brigade was being +strengthened daily, the army was decreasing, and +for two good reasons: first, such a body could not +be readily supplied with provisions, and secondly, +because the majority of these troopers were men of +families, who, during this season of inactivity, took +advantage of the opportunity to provide for the +needs of those at home.</p> + +<p>Then came the day when word was brought to +us by some of the patriots who lived near about +Georgetown, that Lord Cornwallis was secretly disturbed +by what we had already done, and was +deeply fearing that which we might do, therefore +he was about to send against us not only Tarleton’s +Legion, but a strong force of the Sixty-third Regulars +under Colonel Wemyss.</p> + +<p>By this time not only had the “ragged regiment” +increased in size, as I have said before, but +the number of our Minute Boys had been added to +until seventeen responded to the roll-call. Gabriel +had, a few days before word was brought as to how<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span> +high we patriots stood in the estimation of the British +commander, begun drilling us that we might be +able to present somewhat of a military appearance, +and right glad were we for the occupation, because +the monotony of camp-life, which had begun to +grow wearisome, was thus broken.</p> + +<p>Archie, in whose eyes our ranks of seventeen +looked to be a formidable army, now began to repeat +his proposition that we lay plans for the capture +of Seth Hastings, making them wholly independent +of what General Marion might do, and +before many hours had passed the most timid of +us came to fancy that there was more of reason +than rhyme in this bold proposition.</p> + +<p>In fact, so thoroughly did he accustom us by his +words to the possibility of making an attack from +ambush upon the British lines as they came up, that +when finally we learned our commander had come +to an end of remaining passive, the first thought in +our minds was as to whether we might not carry +out that which had previously seemed so wild and +harebrained.</p> + +<p>But I must not overrun the story of what General +Marion did, in my desire to set down all the movements +of the Minute Boys, therefore is it necessary +I come back to the night when men from Georgetown +rode in with the information as to what the +British contemplated.</p> + +<p>We lads were alone in our hut, as was our custom, +for it seemed to us as if by remaining apart +from the troopers we emphasized the fact of being +an independent command, and while we were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> +eagerly discussing Archie’s proposition Captain +Horry entered.</p> + +<p>I understood full well from the expression on +his face that the visit was not an idle one, and therefore +waited in nervous expectancy until, having +acquainted himself with the purport of our conversation, +he stated his business with the manner +and in a tone of one who believes he brings welcome +news:</p> + +<p>“You can judge from what I am about to tell +you, as to whether or no the commander believes +you may be of great assistance in the deadly struggle +which undoubtedly is before us. Within the +next four and twenty hours we of the ‘ragged regiment’ +will strike another such blow as was delivered +when our force remained small, and among +the foremost to advance it is General Marion’s intention +to count the Minute Boys, if they are so +minded.”</p> + +<p>“If we are minded?” Archie cried eagerly, +without waiting for Gabriel to speak, as he should +have done. “The general knows full well how +eager we are to be at work. This idle life is not +to our liking.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that Gabriel added gravely:</p> + +<p>“We shall welcome most gladly, sir, any order +which promises to give us active service.”</p> + +<p>“I had no doubt but that the word I brought +would be welcome, and there is little need for me +to beat about the bush. Two hundred or more of +our force will set off as soon to-morrow as the +people can answer the summons already sent out.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span> +Three hours in advance of the main force fifty +picked men will ride, acting as scouts, or whatsoever +you choose to call them, and in the event of +gaining any information concerning the whereabouts +of the enemy, one can be sent to the rear to +report to the commander, while the others hover +on the enemy’s line of march in the hope of picking +up stragglers.”</p> + +<p>“It is as if General Marion had arranged matters +to suit our plans,” Archie cried exultingly, and +Captain Horry said with an indulgent smile:</p> + +<p>“I question whether your traitorous friend, if it +so be he remains with the Britishers, will risk his +precious skin very far from the main camp; but, +of course, there is always a possibility, and it is the +unexpected which more often happens. Then I am +to say to General Marion that you Minute Boys +are willing to form a portion of the picked company?”</p> + +<p>“You will say to him, sir, if you please, that +we are eager to do so, in addition to being willing, +and then you will have told but half the truth, for +we are indeed burning with the desire to do whatsoever +we may, that Carolinians should do,” +Gabriel cried passionately.</p> + +<p>“You are accepting a post of danger,” the captain +said gravely, “for those who ride in advance +stand every chance of being gobbled up by Tarleton +or Wemyss.”</p> + +<p>Then he lingered an instant as if to learn whether +one or more of us was minded to show the white<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span> +feather, and seeing nothing save joyful anticipation +written on our faces, he went out into the night +leaving us congratulating each other upon what we +considered our good fortune.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX<br> + +<small>A TRAP</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> is no good reason why I should go into +details concerning the preparations which we made +for this reconnoissance when we Minute Boys of +South Carolina were to march shoulder to shoulder +with picked troopers from General Marion’s command.</p> + +<p>In fact, we gave very little heed to the details, +save to make certain our horses were in the pink +of condition, and our weapons as they should be. +We were so puffed up with pride because of having +been selected as fit companions for the best men in +the “ragged regiment,” as to have little room in +our minds for aught else. Nor was our pride +abated next morning when we learned that Captain +Horry himself was to lead the detachment, and +Gabriel said to me with an air of satisfaction:</p> + +<p>“It must be, William Rufus, that this movement +is of more importance than we had anticipated, else +Captain Horry would not march at the head. We +shall have a commander who will not shirk his +duty, however great may be the opposing force we +meet.”</p> + +<p>And I, my heart warming to the dear lad because +of the joy he displayed in thus being permitted +to risk his life, said stoutly:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span>“We would have a commander equally to be +relied on, if the Minute Boys had been sent out on +this mission alone.”</p> + +<p>For an instant Gabriel failed to understand my +meaning, and then a deep flush overspread his face +as he gripped me by the arm to show his gratitude.</p> + +<p>“You are not warranted in making any such +statement, William Rufus, and I know full well +you do so only because of the affection there is +between us two.”</p> + +<p>I would have insisted that there could be no +change in my sentiments regarding his ability as a +leader whatsoever the feeling we entertained each +for the other, but was interrupted by one of the +troopers, who thrust his head in at the door of our +hut, saying in a quiet tone, as if not minded that +all should hear him:</p> + +<p>“The order is that all who are to follow Captain +Horry shall be in readiness for the march within +five minutes.”</p> + +<p>We Minute Boys were not minded that any of +the older soldiers should obey the command more +readily, and therefore it was that when Captain +Horry had made his own preparations we were +already in the saddle, standing in a squad by ourselves +as if to show that it was our purpose to hold +the company distinct from the troopers.</p> + +<p>There was no leave-taking when we departed +from the camp, as a matter of course, for such signs +of friendship are not considered, as I have since +learned, seemly in those who follow the profession +of arms; but when we rode out from the encampment<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span> +General Marion waved his hand in a friendly +manner, most like intending the gesture for his +brother’s eye only.</p> + +<p>Once we were on the road, all our company were +puffed up with pride, when Captain Horry called +Gabriel to ride in the advance by his side. This +was showing, as we would have it shown, that our +leader was recognized as such, and we placed upon +the footing so ardently desired—that of an independent +company. We rode steadily at a brisk trot +for a full hour, and then Gabriel slackened pace that +he might fall back with us lads, I asking, as he +pulled his horse in by my side:</p> + +<p>“Why did you not continue with the leader? It +gave us hearty pleasure to see you in your proper +place at the head of the column.”</p> + +<p>“And I am still keeping my proper place, William +Rufus, therefore you need not begin to show +jealousy lest the Minute Boys fail to receive due +recognition. The fact is that we are to cut loose +from this force within the next half-hour.”</p> + +<p>“And do a little work on our own account?” +Archie, having overheard the words, asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>“Ay, that is the way it appears now, although +the task is not to my liking, for through it we stand +a good chance of being cut out from our share of +the fight in case the advance-guard of the enemy +is come upon.”</p> + +<p>“Tell us what you mean?” I cried irritably, for +the possibility that we might be detached in order +to prevent our taking full share of the danger was +a blow to my pride.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span>“In half an hour, as Captain Horry figures, we +shall have come to the crossroads within a couple +of miles of the Sinclair plantation, and no one can +say in which direction the enemy may approach. +Therefore is this force to be separated, one party +bearing to the left, and the other halting at Sinclair’s.”</p> + +<p>“Then we are like to have an opportunity of +going into action on our own account,” Archie cried +gleefully, believing by such a move we might have +an opportunity to show what the Minute Boys could +do unaided.</p> + +<p>Gabriel was not so sanguine that ours might be +the most dangerous task, and said with an air of +gloom, as I fancied:</p> + +<p>“I made much the same proposition to Captain +Horry, but he insists that it is an even chance +whether his force or ours first comes upon the redcoats.”</p> + +<p>“If the order has been given for us to go to Sinclair’s, +it strikes me it is a waste of breath to argue +as to which may be the post of danger,” Jacob Breen +cried, forcing his horse nearer that he might take +part in the conversation, “and it is as important +for us Minute Boys to show that we can obey a +command without question, as to prove our ability +to stand against the enemy.”</p> + +<p>There was much of sense in what Jacob had said, +and I gave over speculating as to which direction +might bring us the best opportunity to win renown, +because of realizing that if we were to prove ourselves +soldiers it was in the highest degree important<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span> +we show our readiness to abide by whatsoever +decision the commander might make.</p> + +<p>“Of course, it is not for us to say that we will +go here or there,” Gabriel added to me in a low tone, +“and yet there is in my mind not a little of disquietude +because we are to halt at Sinclair’s to +await the possible coming of the enemy.”</p> + +<p>“Meaning that you fear we shall miss the redcoats?” +I said with a laugh, and he replied +gravely:</p> + +<p>“I know not what it is I fear; but it appears +to me, without my being able to give any reason, +that there will be no honor for us this day.”</p> + +<p>Having spoken thus strangely, as it seemed to +me, Gabriel rode on in advance once more, and +twenty or thirty minutes later we were come to the +crossing of the roads, when without other leave-taking +than a military salute, our leader swung his +horse sharply off to the right, we boys following +him in silence.</p> + +<p>I question if there was one among us unacquainted +with the Sinclair plantation, and I said +to myself that even though it should be our ill-fortune +to miss some brave adventure which the others +might come upon, we could at least console ourselves +with the knowledge that a hearty welcome +awaited us, for the master of the plantation was +true to the Cause, but too far advanced in years +to take field against the oppressors.</p> + +<p>Gabriel rode moodily in advance, his heart burdened +by something which he could not define, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> +did not recover his wonted cheerfulness until we +were come within sight of the plantation.</p> + +<p>I had supposed that we should be greeted, when +we first came upon the boundary of the estate, by +some of the slaves, who would immediately carry +word of our approach to the dwelling, but to my +surprise no living thing was to be seen, even when +we arrived at the first row of huts in the negro +quarters and Gabriel, turning suddenly in his saddle, +looked questioningly into my face.</p> + +<p>“The place has been abandoned,” I said involuntarily, +not crediting my own words, and +Archie Gordon cried:</p> + +<p>“Then are the Britishers between us and our +people, instead of in advance, as Captain Horry +believes!”</p> + +<p>By this time we were come to the main entrance +of the house, where the doors should have been +flung wide open at the sound of our horses’ hoofs, +for Master Sinclair was noted throughout the Colonies +for his hospitality.</p> + +<p>Not a sound could be heard as Gabriel dismounted, +beckoning me to do the same, and the +other lads remained in the saddle as we two opened +the door, which was unfastened, and entered the +dwelling.</p> + +<p>Inside it was as if the family had just stepped +out for a moment; nothing appeared to be disturbed, +such as must have been the case in the +event of the redcoats visiting the plantation, for +those hirelings of the king never lost an opportunity<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span> +to destroy whatsoever of property they came across +which could not be carried away.</p> + +<p>We shouted as we went from one apartment to +the other, but received no reply, and then for the +first time did Gabriel speak:</p> + +<p>“There has been something of disaster here, +Rufus, and what it is we should learn without +delay.”</p> + +<p>“But I see no signs of wrong-doing, or of +trouble. Mayhap the Sinclairs have gone away for +a friendly visit.”</p> + +<p>“But why should the dwelling have been left +thus deserted with not a door fastened?”</p> + +<p>“I question if Master Sinclair ever believed it +necessary to bar his doors,” was my reply, and at +the same time there was much of disquiet in my +mind, for the entire absence of life upon this plantation +where I had ever seen so much of bustle and +gaiety, was mystifying.</p> + +<p>Having satisfied ourselves that the dwelling was +indeed unoccupied, Gabriel led the way to the front +door, and there said to Jacob Breen and Archie +Gordon:</p> + +<p>“Ride through the negro quarters and out into +the fields, to see if you may come across any of the +servants.”</p> + +<p>The lads departed at once, and when Gabriel +seated himself on the edge of the veranda, his chin +in his hands as if trying to solve some difficult +problem, Jared Green, forgetting that it was a soldier’s +duty to remain silent until spoken to by his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span> +commander, asked with somewhat of fretfulness in +his tone:</p> + +<p>“Is there any good reason why we should remain +in the saddle while the sun beats down on us so +fiercely?”</p> + +<p>“No, lad, I had forgotten my duty,” Gabriel +replied gently, looking up as if just aroused from +some dream. “It is well that you stable and feed +your horses while there is opportunity, for we may +be in need of leaving this place hurriedly, when +fresh steeds will be of more value than those that +are jaded.”</p> + +<p>The lads knew full well where to find quarters +for the animals, and they rode away, taking with +them Gabriel’s horse and mine, whereupon our +leader looked at me with mute inquiry in his eyes. +There was no need for him to give words to the +question which I saw there.</p> + +<p>“I cannot make a guess, lad. It is enough for +us, however, that there are no signs of the British +near about, and, as I look at the matter, we are as +clearly bound to remain here on guard as if having +found the family waiting to give us welcome.”</p> + +<p>“You are right, Rufus; of that there can be no +question, but I would give all the little I possess +were it possible to read correctly the riddle, for +such it is. If Master Sinclair and his family had +gone away for a visit, they surely would not have +taken half a hundred negroes with them. Even +though it might not be necessary to leave the house-servants +behind, what about the field-hands?”</p> + +<p>While the question remained unanswered Archie<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span> +and Jacob rode up with an expression of blank dismay +upon their faces.</p> + +<p>“There is nothing on this plantation alive, not +even poultry,” Archie cried, leaping from his horse +and standing before us as if expecting we could +give an explanation concerning the abandonment +of the property, and Jacob, looking around with +something like fear on his face, asked nervously:</p> + +<p>“Where are the other lads?”</p> + +<p>“Gone to stable their horses,” I replied, since +Gabriel hesitated. “You had best do the same, and +then come back here, bringing the others with +you.”</p> + +<p>The two lads rode away, and Gabriel and I remained +silent, neither eager to speak, for there was +something ominous in this absence of life where +we had expected to find friends.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later all our company of Minute +Boys were grouped in front of the dwelling, when +ensued such a tongue-wagging as can be fancied, +for each had the same question in mind as had +Gabriel and I, and all were equally eager for +some solution of the mystifying problem. A +full half-hour must have passed before Gabriel +spoke, and then our lads, having literally talked +themselves out, were moving restlessly to and fro +as if fearing some disaster was about to fall upon +them.</p> + +<p>“There is no good reason why we should continue +to puzzle our brains over a question which we +cannot answer,” the lad said with the air and tone +of one who has suddenly decided upon some definite<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span> +course of action. “Rufus and I are agreed that +the abandonment of the plantation has not been +caused by the arrival of the Britishers, else would +we see signs of their occupation, for it is hardly +possible one of the king’s soldiers can resist the +inclination to destroy whatsoever may be within +his reach. Our orders were to remain here a certain +length of time that we might be able to give +the alarm if the enemy came this way, and the fact +that the plantation is deserted does not acquit us +of that duty. You have cared for your horses, and +now it seems to me that we should remain inside +the building, from the windows of which can be +had a good view of the highway, in order to perform +the task assigned us.”</p> + +<p>He had but just ceased speaking when the clatter +of horse’s hoofs told that a single rider was approaching, +coming from the southward, and Gabriel +turned quickly to open once more the door of the +house, as he said:</p> + +<p>“Get under cover, lads, until we know who is +coming. It may be that the British leader has sent +out scouts and this is our chance to gain information.”</p> + +<p>It was the same as if he had told us to enter the +building, and we did so, he leading the way to one +of the upper rooms, where, by looking above the tops +of the trees, we could have full view of the highway +for half a mile or more in either direction.</p> + +<p>We had hardly more than stationed ourselves at +the one window in this room, which was used for +storing comparatively useless odds and ends, when<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span> +the horseman whose coming had been announced +rode into view.</p> + +<p>A red-coated trooper, who came on at a leisurely +pace as if there was no reason for making a cautious +advance, pulled his horse in at the private entrance +of the plantation as if thoroughly familiar +with the place. Advancing to the steps where we +lads had so lately been standing, he dismounted, +allowing his steed to graze wheresoever he would, +and threw himself at full length upon the veranda +as if awaiting the arrival of comrades.</p> + +<p>“Now is the chance to take a prisoner,” Jacob +Breen whispered excitedly. “It would be the simplest +thing in the world to go down and capture +him.”</p> + +<p>“And by so doing take the chances of giving an +alarm to whosoever may be following,” Gabriel replied. +“It is our business to learn as much as possible, +rather than carry back an unimportant prisoner.”</p> + +<p>“But suppose there are twenty-five or fifty following +him; what then?” Jacob asked, and on the +instant there flashed into my mind the thought that +we had willingly entered a trap which had not been +baited. Having ascended to the top of the house, +we would be held prisoners beyond a peradventure +if any considerable force came up, and then all the +commander’s plans would fail if that which we +knew could not be imparted to Captain Horry or +General Marion.</p> + +<p>I was about to give words to these thoughts +when I saw by the expression which suddenly came<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span> +over Gabriel’s face that he also realized the folly +of which we had been culpable.</p> + +<p>“We must find a way out by the rear of the +house without his knowing of our having been +here,” he said a moment later, and at the same instant +Archie Gordon whispered excitedly, as he +pointed out of the window:</p> + +<p>“See! Yonder must be the advance of the entire +force which has been sent against us!”</p> + +<p>Then it was we could see coming up the road +squads of horsemen, riding without military formation, +and in considerable numbers, the foremost of +whom turned in at the road leading to the house.</p> + +<p>There was no time to be lost indeed, even if we +yet had an opportunity of escaping, and immediately +Gabriel led the way out of the room to the +only hallway by which one could descend to the +lower floor.</p> + +<p>He stopped suddenly on the first stair, however, +for the man who had been lounging on the veranda +entered the building, as he shouted to those riding +up the path:</p> + +<p>“Here are good quarters, save that there are +none to welcome us!”</p> + +<p>We lads stepped back in a twinkling, narrowly +escaping discovery, for if the fellow had glanced +ever so hurriedly up the stairway he must have seen +us, and there was nothing left for the Minute Boys +of South Carolina, who had counted so confidently +upon being able to strike a blow against the king’s +forces, save to seek refuge in that same attic chamber +from which was no outlet except the one leading<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> +directly among the enemy, who by this time were +entering the building in large numbers.</p> + +<p>We had trapped ourselves, and I dare venture +to say that never had would-be soldiers shown +themselves more simple. All were equally culpable, +if indeed any should be censured for a natural mistake, +but Gabriel seemed to think he alone was responsible +for the disagreeable position in which we +were placed.</p> + +<p>“It is better you lads take the command of the +Minute Boys away from me, and give it to some +one who can show at least a glimmer of common +sense,” he said bitterly when we had reëntered the +room and closed the door behind us, looking questioningly +into each other’s faces. “None save the +veriest fool would have allowed himself, and those +who call him leader, to be put in such a trap as this, +and on my shoulders must fall all the blame.”</p> + +<p>So bitter was he upon himself, and in such an attitude +did he stand in front of the closed door, that +I actually feared he meditated some mad act, such +as giving himself, as expiation for his mistake, into +the hands of the enemy. Therefore I said soothingly, +laying my hand on his shoulder that I might +be ready for any unexpected move on his part:</p> + +<p>“No, lad, you shall not take all the blame, for +one has been as foolish as another. We Minute +Boys are comrades, rather than soldiers serving +under strict military discipline, and had we suspected +what I am free to admit we should have +guessed, then was it our place to make objection +when you proposed coming here. Instead of seeking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span> +to fasten the fault upon one or the other, let +us decide what we may do toward getting out of +the trap.”</p> + +<p>It was Archie Gordon who replied to me, as he +laughed mirthlessly:</p> + +<p>“I am fancying we have no need to spend very +much time figuring how we shall get out of here, +for the redcoats will attend to all that.”</p> + +<p>“There is no reason why they should come into +the upper part of the house while there is so much +of plunder below,” I rejoined sternly, with a faint +gleam of comfort appearing amid the clouds of +despondency; but he said, laughing again:</p> + +<p>“They may not come upon us through searching +for plunder; but it is reasonable to suppose that +upon seeing the horses, which give proof of having +been lately used, they will make it their business +to know who has been riding them.”</p> + +<p>I had lost sight entirely of this fact, and it was +as if some fresh disaster caused by our folly had +come upon us. Perhaps there had been in my mind +a hopeful thought that we might be able to get out +of the building during the hours of darkness, but +now it seemed improbable we could remain hidden +even until night had come.</p> + +<p>I will not undertake to set down all that was +said in that room by us despairing lads. We remained +conversing in whispers near the window, +where it was possible to have a view of the outside +while we ourselves remained unseen, and it began +to appear as if all the king’s troops in the Carolinas +were to rendezvous at the Sinclair plantation.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span>During the hour which followed our entering +the trap that no one had set, there was hardly a +moment when we could not see a greater or less +number coming up the road, until I believed of a +verity there were no less than five hundred horsemen +scattered around the estate, or rummaging +through the different buildings.</p> + +<p>Very shortly after the first squad had come up, +ten or twelve officers arrived, and they took quarters +in the building, consequently the rank and file +were forced to give the place a wide berth. Therefore +was there less fear that we should be discovered +immediately, for, judging from the sounds, +those in command of the king’s army were engaged +in feasting, having ransacked the cellars rather than +the attics. It was at the moment when we were +hemmed in by such a troop as made it seem impossible +for our friends to deliver us, even though they +came in full force, that Jacob Breen found somewhat +of cheer in the situation.</p> + +<p>“Since they haven’t already dragged us out from +this place, we stand a fair chance of being able to +remain in secret until morning.”</p> + +<p>“How have you contrived to figure out any such +possibility as that?” Archie Gordon asked petulantly, +and Jacob said with a smile:</p> + +<p>“Where so many horses are stabled, ours will +attract but little attention. If the men who have +come up last see them, they will believe the steeds +belong to their comrades, and if those who first +arrived should now make the discovery, they would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span> +have good reason for supposing the animals belonged +to some of the later arrivals.”</p> + +<p>There was no question but that the lad was correct +in so far as this went, and it was indeed a +slender thread upon which to build hope, but when +one is in the desperate situation we then were, he +is inclined to catch at any straw whatsoever.</p> + +<p>The possibility of remaining yet a few hours +longer in that hiding-place served to cheer us ever +so little for a few moments, and then were we +plunged into gloom again, knowing full well the +evil moment could only be postponed for a comparatively +brief time.</p> + +<p>How that afternoon passed I am unable to say +even now, while looking calmly back upon it. Then +I was in such a fever of anxiety and self-reproach +as to be hardly conscious of what I did or said, +knowing, however, that before the day was come +to a close all of Tarleton’s or Wemyss’s followers +must have arrived at that one plantation, and on the +road in the rear lay our people, waiting for the information +which we should have carried them.</p> + +<p>There was not one among our party who did not +realize that having thus entrapped ourselves, we +might bring direst misfortune upon our people, +who, not receiving intelligence from us that the +enemy were near at hand and in such numbers, +might advance only to find themselves overwhelmed.</p> + +<p>During the early part of the afternoon the British +officers enjoyed themselves noisily in the room +below, but as the day came to a close all was hushed,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span> +while sentinels were stationed, so far as we could +see, around the house to prevent the troopers from +disturbing the repose of their superiors, for it +seemed probable these representatives of the king +had ministered to their appetites until sleep became +a necessity.</p> + +<p>We lads, tired of standing, and not daring to +move around the room lest the noise of our footsteps +should betray us, sat or lay upon the floor as +fancy dictated, but Gabriel remained close by the +door as if studying profoundly, while I crouched by +his side, attempting now and then to beguile him +into conversation.</p> + +<p>When the sun had set we could see the gleam of +fires here and there about the grounds, showing +where the soldiers were encamped in the open air, +and I said to myself that even though we might +succeed in leaving the building, there was little possibility +we could make our way undetected past the +sentinels and idle soldiery.</p> + +<p>The evening was well along when Gabriel began +drawing off his boots, and I, not dreaming of the +plan in his mind, followed his example, thinking +he was making ready to move about because his +limbs were cramped, as were mine.</p> + +<p>“You are not to go,” he whispered sharply, laying +his hand upon mine, and I, like the simple that +I was, asked in surprise:</p> + +<p>“Go where?”</p> + +<p>“I count on making an attempt to get away from +this place, but there is little hope that two could +accomplish it undetected. Because it is through my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> +stupidity that we Minute Boys are here in this trap, +I am the one who should undertake all the risks.”</p> + +<p>“You would venture down-stairs and then out +upon the grounds, which are lighted up by the many +camp-fires?” I asked incredulously, and he nodded +his head emphatically.</p> + +<p>“Then I shall go with you.”</p> + +<p>“You will do no such thing, Rufus Randolph! +Even though I have been a fool, you must still +admit I stand as leader of the party, and my orders +are to be obeyed. One may do what two could +not.”</p> + +<p>“But suppose you succeed in getting out of the +house, what then? You cannot hope to travel on +foot so far as will be necessary to come upon our +people.”</p> + +<p>“All that will be as it may chance,” he replied. +“Some move must be made immediately, for although +we have remained here undetected since +noon, there is no possibility, when the troopers have +orders to march, that our horses will not be discovered +as belonging to strangers. As you count +it, the danger to you in remaining is greater than +may come to me in trying to get away.”</p> + +<p>By this time nearly all of our comrades, seeing +Gabriel removing his boots and holding conversation +with me, believed that some plan for relief was +in the wind, and gathered round us asking more +questions than could have been answered throughout +the entire night.</p> + +<p>Gabriel put an end to the idle talk by stating in +a whisper, yet sufficiently loud for all to hear, what<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span> +we would do, and laying his commands upon every +one to remain where he was, at least until it was +positive that he had gotten well clear of the building, +or had been taken prisoner.</p> + +<p>“After that, if it so be any of you are minded +to tempt fate, then make the attempt,” he said. +“As for me, if fortune favors, instead of trying to +find Captain Horry, I shall travel straight back on +the road down which the general and his followers +are riding. Now let me go without further words, +and if ill betide me, then have I no more than paid +the debt I owe you lads for having led you into this +trap.”</p> + +<p>It would have been childish for us to have made +any further protest. The dear lad was doing no +more than any of the party would have been willing +to attempt, and it was absolutely necessary that +great risks be taken if we were to come out of that +place at liberty.</p> + +<p>I could not believe but that the work should have +been given to me rather than him, and would have +urged my claim, but he cut me off sharply by saying:</p> + +<p>“You are to stay here in my place, Rufus, and +will prove a better leader for the Minute Boys than +I have shown myself, of that there can be no +doubt.”</p> + +<p>He was lifting the latch even as he spoke, and +before I could detain him further had passed out +into the gloom of the hallway, leaving us standing +there with baited breath, our ears strained to catch<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> +the slightest sound which should tell of his having +been discovered.</p> + +<p>No sound save the hum of voices on the outside, +or the heavy tread below as the officers moved from +one room to another, came to us, and, not daring +to hope that he had succeeded in getting down the +entire flight of stairs, we remained there like statues, +hardly daring to breathe lest by inflating our lungs +we give the signal which would be that of death to +our comrade whom we loved so dearly.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER X<br> + +<small>AN ODD BATTLE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is impossible to say how long we sat there +listening for that which we hoped might not be +heard. It seemed to me as if we crouched by the +open door straining our ears and gazing blindly +into the gloom fully two hours, when Archie Gordon, +touching me lightly on the shoulder, said in +a tone of relief:</p> + +<p>“It must be that Gabriel has succeeded in his purpose, +else would we have heard some token, and +certain I am that not a voice has been raised or a +shot fired since he left this room.”</p> + +<p>In this last statement I could fully agree with +him; but as to whether Gabriel had succeeded in +escaping was quite another matter. I felt convinced, +even while hoping it might be so, that he +could not make his way undetected down through +the house, and then past all the sentinels which must +be stationed between the building and the highway. +Each instant I expected to hear an alarm sounded, +believing that during all this while he had been +crouching in some hiding-place near the attic chamber.</p> + +<p>As the time went by, however, and we knew that +not less than an hour had passed, I began to breathe<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span> +more freely, for now was it certain the dear lad had +given the enemy the slip, even though it seemed +impossible anything larger than a mouse could have +gone out from there undetected.</p> + +<p>My fears, allayed in one direction, sprang up in +another, and I began to ask myself whether it +would be possible for one on foot, in the night, to +come upon either party of our friends?</p> + +<p>It was beyond the range of possibility that +Gabriel had been able to get a horse without attracting +attention, therefore must his travelling be +done on foot, and without boots to his feet.</p> + +<p>Now it was that my companions, seeing some +slight thread of hope in this escape of Gabriel’s, +were eager to discuss the situation with one another, +and all unconsciously we made our way +across the room to the window, where, crouched +upon the floor, we spoke in softest whispers of what +might be done if fortune aided our comrades in +every possible way.</p> + +<p>Once, while we were thus talking without being +able to see each other’s faces, I fancied I heard a +cautious footstep near at hand, and warned the +lads to remain silent while we listened; but when +nothing could be distinguished save the sound of +our own breathing, I said to myself that it was +only a rat in the wall—that I was growing overly +nervous, and to indulge in such fancies might result +in my finally becoming timorous.</p> + +<p>That which we said to each other was of little +or no importance; we simply discussed all the +known possibilities of the future, and, when tired<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span> +of this fruitless occupation, my companions one +and all relapsed into silence.</p> + +<p>I turned to find Archie Gordon, believing he had +taken station directly behind me, but when I spoke +it was to learn that Jacob Breen stood thus near. +Then I called the lad softly by name, but there was +no response, and Jacob whispered sufficiently loud +for all to hear:</p> + +<p>“Is Archie lying asleep near any of you? I have +not heard him speak this past hour.”</p> + +<p>Because Archie made no response I became +alarmed, and crept around the room here and there, +forcing each lad to give me his name as I touched +him, until the cold sweat of fear broke out on my +forehead, for it seemed as if the lad had been spirited +away in some uncanny fashion, or was suddenly +come to his death.</p> + +<p>“Search for him everywhere!” I whispered +hoarsely. “He <i>must</i> be here, and unless some +great evil has befallen him, would answer us.”</p> + +<p>Then we crept around the room, feeling with our +hands every inch of the floor until we were come +together in the middle of the apartment with a +terror upon us so great that I at least was unable +to reason intelligently.</p> + +<p>It was Jacob Breen who gave the solution to the +riddle, and a wondrous sense of relief was mine +at realizing that there was nothing superhuman +about this absence of our comrade.</p> + +<p>“He has followed Gabriel’s example, saying to +himself that if one could leave this building, two +might succeed,” Jacob Breen whispered hesitatingly,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span> +as if fearing we might make sport because +he entertained such an idea.</p> + +<p>“It was a brave thing for the lad to do, and now +are the chances doubled that our people will get information +of what has happened here, for, knowing +that Gabriel counted on trying to find General +Marion, Archie will set off in the hope of coming +upon Captain Horry’s force,” I said, remembering +that faint sound which I had heard and attributed +to a mouse in the wall.</p> + +<p>I believed Jacob was right in his conjecture, and +pressing close to the window, I listened once more +with that painful intentness which gets upon one’s +nerves, so sorely did I fear each instant lest I hear +the sound of a shot that would be the death-knell +of my friend.</p> + +<p>When perhaps another hour had passed, and it +seemed certain a second of our party had escaped +to carry the tidings, Jared Green said to me:</p> + +<p>“If two lads can leave this place without being +discovered, why may not all, provided we go one +at a time?” and I replied with an irritation born +of nervousness:</p> + +<p>“Because two have succeeded in accomplishing +what seemed to have been the impossible, there is +no reason why others may successfully make the +same venture.”</p> + +<p>“But a third has every chance of having equal +fortune,” the lad persisted, and I said with as +much of authority as it was possible to assume:</p> + +<p>“The venture must not be tried again, for the +next one who went out might be captured or killed,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> +when the lives of all would be forfeited. Gabriel +left me in command, and I charge you to remain +where you are.”</p> + +<p>“It will make little difference whether we are +captured now, or in the morning, for surely you +don’t count that we shall be able to remain here +undetected until the Britishers have left?” Jacob +persisted, whereat I cried irritably:</p> + +<p>“I am counting upon nothing save that we shall +hold our lives as long as may be. There is just +the shadow of a chance the redcoats may go away +without knowing we are here, and I claim there is +no possibility whatsoever that even two more could +escape.”</p> + +<p>I question if very many of the lads would have +been willing to make the venture, even though +Gabriel and Archie had apparently succeeded; but +Jacob himself had sufficient courage to set off, and +that he was disgruntled because I positively commanded +him to remain could be readily understood +by his silence.</p> + +<p>I was not minded any others should put their +lives in jeopardy, and therefore it was that instead +of remaining near the window where all had gathered, +I took station at the door, as I should have +done in the first place, thus making certain no more +of our party could give us the slip.</p> + +<p>Even though I had been so positive in stating +that all must remain, I doubted the wisdom of the +command as soon as the lads gave evidence of being +willing to obey me, and began to ask myself +whether it might not be better some few escape with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> +their lives than that all be made prisoners, for there +was indeed little hope of being undiscovered after +sunrise. While pondering over this, and saying +that by such a course I was making myself wholly +responsible for whatsoever of evil might come, my +eyes grew heavy with slumber.</p> + +<p>Now, as I look back upon that night, it seems +indeed strange that I should have had any desire for +sleep when death appeared to be so near at hand, +and yet the truth is that I finally lost consciousness.</p> + +<p>I may possibly have slept two hours—it could +not have been much longer—when I was literally +brought to my feet by the crackling of musketry +and cries of anger or surprise from the outside. So +great was the din on the instant that all my comrades +were aroused at the same time, and instinctively +we made our way to the window, clustering +there without realizing that it might be possible +for the sentinels on guard to see us.</p> + +<p>“What is it?” Jared Green asked, and he made +no effort to speak cautiously. “What has happened?”</p> + +<p>It was a question none could answer, for although +it was possible to hear the men running to +and fro, shouting frantically, as it seemed to me, +with now and then a hoarse cry from the room +beneath us, we could see nothing distinctly, yet +knew beyond a peradventure that some serious disturbance +had broken out.</p> + +<p>So great was the noise from below that I ventured +to raise the window, and, craning my neck +to look over the eaves of the building, I gazed down<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span> +on what seemed to be a perfect mob of men running +to and fro aimlessly, while from the distance +came the sharp crack of musketry and the trampling +of horses’ feet.</p> + +<p>“It is our people!” Jacob Breen cried shrilly, +clapping me on the back with such force that I was +nigh to being hurled headlong from the window. +“It is our people! Gabriel or Archie have succeeded +in finding one force or another, and an attack +is being made!”</p> + +<p>As the confusion increased, the reports of musketry +sounding nearer, I said to myself that the lad +was right, and found it most difficult to prevent +giving way to senseless demonstrations of joy.</p> + +<p>I wish it might be possible to describe the scene +as we saw it thus outlined faintly in the gloom. +We could not distinguish individual forms; there +were beneath the window so many in the throng +that it was before our eyes as a dark, writhing mass +with now and then a trooper trying to force a horse +among the frantic men. And here, there, and +everywhere shouts of command, cries for this man +or that, with over all screams of pain as the missiles, +which were being poured in by that unseen +force, took effect.</p> + +<p>It is not to be supposed that this scene of confusion +was continued many seconds. We saw the +dark mass separate into something like military +formation. The meaningless cries died away as +the first shock of surprise passed off and the instinct +of the soldier came uppermost.</p> + +<p>It may not have been more than two minutes<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span> +before horses were brought for the officers who had +been feasting in the room beneath us, and the men +were forming in platoons; but during all this while +came the thunder of horses’ feet and the crackling +of musketry, the cries of command and the groans +and shrieks of agony.</p> + +<p>It never entered my mind that we lads were in +position to strike a blow just then. There could +be no question but that our people were making an +attack, and I remained there overhanging the eaves +of the building, watching with all my heart in my +eyes as I said that now was come our deliverance, +yet not a finger did I raise toward helping myself.</p> + +<p>The first fire from our people was deadly in +effect, as could be seen by the huddled masses lying +here and there upon the ground when the troopers +formed in line, but yet it was not sufficient to win +a victory, for the surprise had not been so complete +as to create a stampede.</p> + +<p>“It is to be a battle here in the night!” I said, +forcing my way back from the window with difficulty, +because all the lads were pressing close upon +me. “It is to be a battle, and if Archie or Gabriel +failed to meet those who are making the attack, +then are they ignorant of the great odds against +them!”</p> + +<p>It was necessary now to speak at the full strength +of one’s lungs in order that the words should be +heard, for the Britishers had in turn opened fire, +and the detonations of the weapons literally caused +the air to quiver.</p> + +<p>My cheeks redden with shame even at this late<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span> +day, when I set down the fact that it was Jacob +Breen who recalled me to a sense of duty—that +I had failed of understanding what part we might +play in this battle.</p> + +<p>“The time has come when we should take a +hand,” the lad said suddenly. “I know of no reason +why we must skulk here like cowards!”</p> + +<p>His words thrilled me, causing every nerve to +quiver, and on the instant I seemed to see as if it +were pictured before my eyes, the course which we +should pursue. Without hesitating, and, I hope, +speaking as if the thought had been in my mind +before Jacob suggested it, I said sharply:</p> + +<p>“See to it that you have your weapons ready, +and follow me in double file. We will go down +this front staircase and out of the house by the +back way, so that it will be possible to fall upon +the enemy in the rear, and they be made to suppose +that reinforcements have come up from the opposite +direction.”</p> + +<p>Now every lad was on fire; the possibility of +striking a blow after we had been penned up like +rats in a trap was most welcome, and we gave no +thought to the danger, or the chance that we might +find ourselves in the midst of the redcoats instead +of in their rear.</p> + +<p>I ran at full speed, regardless of encountering +any one in the passageway, after making certain +the Minute Boys were following, and when we had +traversed the entire length of the building without +meeting any one, and came out into the open on +that side nearest the slave quarters, it appeared as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span> +if the attacking force was making its way up the +lane leading from the road. The Britishers were +wheeled about in that direction, and, save for a +few skulkers here and there, nothing prevented our +making such a demonstration as must be effective.</p> + +<p>I led the way round the building until we were +at the westerly corner of the front, and there, where +we might be screened in case a volley was suddenly +poured upon us, said to my comrades:</p> + +<p>“Let us discharge our weapons at the same instant +in order to make it appear that our force is +very large, and that done, each lad is to step back +within the shelter of the house while he reloads.”</p> + +<p>There was no delay in carrying such a plan into +execution, nor was it possible for us to miscalculate +the aim, since the Britishers were hardly more than +twenty yards away, standing in so large a body +that we would have fired wild indeed had any of +our missiles failed of effect.</p> + +<p>Even though we were attacking the enemies of +our country, it was not a pleasing thought to me +that we were doing our best to take the lives of +human beings. But surely it would be a survival +of the fittest, and from our point of view the “fittest” +were those who had nearest their hearts a +love for the Carolinas.</p> + +<p>That which gave us greatest pleasure was a cry +which came from the rear rank when our bullets +took effect, for then we could hear half a dozen of +the nearest shout:</p> + +<p>“They have outflanked us! The rebels are in +the rear!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span>I fancied that those of our people who were in +front also heard this cry, hoping they understood +who was thus creating a diversion, for it seemed +to me their fire was redoubled, and I believed I +heard cries of encouragement and of joy.</p> + +<p>“Waste no time in reloading, lads,” I whispered, +myself setting the example by charging my +weapon, and before the Britishers had really come +to understand that there was without doubt a foe +behind them, we let go a second volley.</p> + +<p>Then in the darkness, while the smoke from our +weapons hung heavy before our eyes, I could see +that line of Britishers waver, seemingly to have +grown weak in the middle, and an instant later +came that which caused me to cry aloud in fear and +astonishment.</p> + +<p>A heavy volley, which must have been made up +of at least thirty guns, rang out midway between +where we were standing and the main road upon +the right flank of the foe.</p> + +<p>“Who can be there?” Jacob Breen cried as if +in alarm, and I cheered vigorously, for on the instant +came the thought that it was the other squad +of our “ragged regiment,” either that led by Captain +Horry, or General Marion, who had thus +come upon the scene of conflict.</p> + +<p>Now it was that the enemy, fired upon from +three widely diverging points, began to suppose +they were attacked by an overwhelming force, and +that the men were growing uncomfortable in mind +we understood by the cries of command for them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span> +to stand firm, or to close up the ranks, which were +heard now and then from the officers.</p> + +<p>This was as much as telling us that we needed +to make but one more desperate attack and the day +would be ours. From the front came the huzzas +of our people as they charged down upon the line; +from the right wing a second and third volley +mingled with shouts of triumph, and then it was +we Minute Boys added our voices to the din as we +fired.</p> + +<p>I care not how brave soldiers may be, how reckless +they have grown of life, there are none who, +in such a position as our enemy was then placed, +could hold their ground. In the darkness, attacked +by what they believed to be a heavy force from +every direction, fired upon from the rear by a +seemingly large number, and their right flank +pressed by a superior body, there was nothing left +but to retreat, for the boldest general who ever +commanded an army would have had good reason +for believing that to remain longer in that position +was to invite annihilation.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was only natural, as I have said, +the king’s soldiers should fall back without loss of +time, and that their officers believed the rebels, as +they were pleased to call us, had gathered in overwhelming +numbers, was shown by the fact that instead +of retreating into the building, where they +might make a more successful stand, the whole +force was drawn back to seek what cover could be +found in the rear of the negro quarters.</p> + +<p>It was while this manœuvre was being effected<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span> +that the main body of General Marion’s force +charged down upon them, and this was sufficient +to scatter their ranks in confusion. We lads closed +in behind the horsemen to make the greatest show +possible, and then it was we saw coming up from +where the right flank of the enemy had been stationed, +a party of thirty or forty, the greater portion +of whom were negroes, all eager to participate +in the victory.</p> + +<p>So hotly did the “ragged regiment” press them, +that instead of making a stand behind the slave +quarters, the Britishers changed their line of retreat +in order to gain the road, and such of our +people as were mounted joined in the pursuit, for +it was necessary to keep them on the run.</p> + +<p>“There is no need for us who are on foot to do +further battle,” I heard a voice from out the darkness +say when our troopers, driving the redcoats +before them, had gained the highway. “It is best +we remain here, where, in case the king’s men come +to their senses, we can hold a shelter for our +people.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that, coming up to the speaker, I saw +Master Sinclair, and in my astonishment at finding +him there asked him from whence he came.</p> + +<p>“I have been yonder, near the grape arbors, and +it strikes me I was of considerable assistance in +this little affair. The negroes handled their muskets +and stood their ground better than I had believed +possible.”</p> + +<p>“But where did you come <i>from</i>, and how did it +chance that you abandoned your home, leaving<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span> +everything at the mercy of the enemy?” I cried, +so curious for a solution of what had been a mystery +that I could wait no longer for an answer.</p> + +<p>“Word was brought yesterday morning by one +of the field-hands that the redcoats were coming in +large numbers, and I beat a retreat into the swamp +with family, overseers, and slaves, there to wait +until the enemy should have passed, for my Lord +Clinton has announced his intention of sending me +to the prison-ships as soon as I am taken. Hearing +the noise of the battle, it was only natural that +such of my company as could bear arms should be +pressed into service, and it seems as if we were fortunate +in selecting the time and position.”</p> + +<p>Before I could ask any more questions two +horsemen came riding up the lane from the direction +in which our people had followed the foe, and +I shouted to the Minute Boys to stand firm, fearing +lest by some odd chance the Britishers had doubled +back on us, when a dear, familiar voice rang +out:</p> + +<p>“It is I, William Rufus! It is I, Gabriel!” and +added to these welcome words were others which +set my pulses throbbing with gratitude to the good +God, for it was Archie Gordon who shouted laughingly:</p> + +<p>“Ay, close up, lads, and stand ready to receive +your commander!”</p> + +<p>In a twinkling they were with us, and as we +stood there among the dead and wounded of the +enemy, we listened to the stories told in fragments +of how they had succeeded in getting away, when<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span> +humanity should have prompted us first to minister +to the needs of those whom we had crippled.</p> + +<p>Gabriel’s story seemed pitifully weak as compared +with what we had imagined it might be. +Creeping down the stairs in the darkness, he had +made his way past the rooms filled with British +officers, who had feasted so deeply as to give no +heed to anything going on around them, and, having +departed from the building by the rear door, +he walked boldly toward the road, seeing only two +men on guard, who gave no heed to him, most like +because he had come from the house, therefore they +believed he was one of their number. Then he had +to travel no more than two miles before coming +to the general’s halting-place by the side of the +road, where he awaited some report from us. The +rest we already knew.</p> + +<p>Archie’s story was not unlike that of our leader’s. +As he laughingly said, the most difficult portion +of his task was to escape from us, for once he was +on the stairs the way was as clear as it had been +for Gabriel, and when the lads had come to an end +of their tales I understood that but for my timorousness +we might all have gotten away without +hindrance.</p> + +<p>“Ay, so you might, lad,” Gabriel said when I +had given words to my thoughts; “but in case of +having done so, you would not have been here to +pour in a fire upon the enemy’s rear, and, therefore, +might the battle have been prolonged until it +would have been our need to retreat.”</p> + +<p>There was no little gratification in the thought<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span> +that even though I had shown myself more timorous +than one in command of a company of Minute +Boys should be, such failure to display courage, +if so be you choose to call it, had been an advantage +rather than otherwise.</p> + +<p>While we lads were thus conversing, Master Sinclair +had taken charge of his dwelling once more. +The negroes were sent to call up the women from +the swamp, and soon it was the same hospitable +mansion I had known in the past, for its inmates +were busied in ministering to the wants of the +wounded enemy as much as to the needs of welcome +friends.</p> + +<p>We lads did a fair share of the nursing, and were +yet at work on the gruesome task when the day +had come. Verily had our victory been of moment, +as we could see now.</p> + +<p>Nearly all the horses belonging to the British +troopers yet remained stabled where they were first +left, and of stores we had as much as they brought +with them, which was by no means inconsiderable. +The only thing to mar our triumph at that moment +was the fact that the pursuers were not yet +returned, and who could say that the redcoats had +not turned upon them, making prisoners of every +gallant patriot?</p> + +<p>“We have much to be thankful for. It is little +less than ingratitude to look forward into the future +for trouble,” Master Sinclair said when I put into +words the thoughts which were in my mind concerning +our people. “Unless Francis Marion has +changed since last I saw him, he will not lead his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> +followers into a place from which they cannot +extricate themselves. Therefore, now that the +wounded are in better hands than ours, let us enjoy +ourselves at breakfast, for I am of the belief +that it will not be my privilege to entertain many +more guests in this house for some time to come.”</p> + +<p>“Why do you speak in that sad strain, Master +Sinclair?” Gabriel asked, and the planter replied +with a feeble attempt at a smile:</p> + +<p>“Now indeed am I doing exactly what I warned +you lads against—looking ahead for trouble. In +my case, however, I have better reason for doing +so than you, for from advices from Charleston and +Georgetown, dated no later than the day before +yesterday, I know beyond a peradventure that the +enemy in this section of the country is so strong +that it will be folly for us to attempt to stand before +them. My Lord Clinton has ordered Tarleton +to scour the Carolinas with his legion, and entrap +or kill the ‘Swamp Fox.’”</p> + +<p>“Who may that be, sir?” Gabriel asked.</p> + +<p>“None other than your brother, my lad, so-named +because he has his rendezvous in the swamps. +The British commander-in-chief thinks himself +witty to bestow upon Marion the name of ‘Swamp +Fox,’ and I venture to say that he will be longer +riding down such a fox, than any he ever coursed +in the old country.”</p> + +<p>I had not yet gathered in the full meaning of +Master Sinclair’s words when came the summons +to breakfast, and right pleasant was it to sit down +once more at a well-appointed table, for I had not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span> +enjoyed such an opportunity since Charleston capitulated.</p> + +<p>We were yet eating when the thud of horses’ +feet outside caused us to start up eagerly. Then +we saw coming through the avenue of trees our +“Swamp Fox,” Captain Horry at his side, followed +by those brave hearts who were ready to +sacrifice even life itself for their country.</p> + +<p>It is not needed I should make any attempt at +describing the happiness which was ours that morning +when we were Master Sinclair’s guests!</p> + +<p>We had better reason for feasting and excesses +than those who had lately occupied this hospitable +mansion in the absence of its owner, and yet we +were temperate, for never one among us did more +than satisfy his hunger. I had counted on hearing +General Marion tell of the chase, and in what condition +he left the redcoats; but to my surprise, no +sooner was the meal finished than the captain, the +commander, Master Sinclair, and mayhap half a +dozen of the troopers, went to an adjoining apartment +as if to hold a secret council.</p> + +<p>“Now what may be going on?” Archie Gordon +cried merrily. “It would seem to me that we +could afford to spend this day in merrymaking, +after having read the king a third reasonably strong +lesson, yet it looks as if another campaign was +being planned.”</p> + +<p>“But one far different from those we have participated +in, lad,” Gabriel said gravely, and I, not +minded that he should make a kill-joy of himself +at such a time, cried reproachfully:</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_p196a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p196a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">“THEN WE SAW COMING THROUGH THE AVENUE OF TREES OUR +‘SWAMP FOX.’”</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span>“Is it well that the commander of the Minute +Boys of South Carolina should wear a long face at +the very moment when he has most reason to +smile?”</p> + +<p>“It is true we have reason for rejoicing,” +Gabriel replied with the same sombre look upon his +face, “but it may be well for us not to spend overly +much time in such manner. Have you already forgotten +what Master Sinclair said regarding his +advices from Charleston and Georgetown?”</p> + +<p>“The words are yet in my mind,” I replied +laughingly, “as is also the memory of Major +Gainey’s and Captain Barfield’s commands, which +gave us but little trouble although General Marion +rode with no more than forty men. Now, when +he has a legion at his back, what can Tarleton hope +to do?”</p> + +<p>“You must remember that Tarleton has all the +British army behind him,” Gabriel replied, and then +he was interrupted by the return of those who had +gone into council.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI<br> + +<small>OUR RETREAT</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> General Marion reëntered the room +where we boys were yet at table, he gave the word +for his followers to be assembled in front of the +dwelling, speaking not until this had been done. +Then, standing on the veranda in front of the force, +he began in a tone and with the manner of a man +who says that which is disagreeable to himself:</p> + +<p>“My men, it is the opinion of all in command, +as well as those whose judgment is entitled to the +greatest respect, that we return without delay to +Snow’s Island, and I ask you to have confidence in +us who have arrived at this decision, which is as +distasteful to those who made it as it is to those +who hear it. We know beyond a question that, +because of what has been done, the British commander +is determined to wipe us out, and it behooves +us to gain a position which may be held +against so large force as will be sent from the +coast.</p> + +<p>“Nothing can be accomplished by staying here, +where capture or death must be the inevitable result; +but so long as we remain at liberty so long +will the Cause live, and I promise that however unpleasant +and apparently disastrous may seem this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span> +move at the very moment when we have been victorious, +you shall yet have many opportunities of +striking a blow at British uniforms. I ask you to +obey cheerfully and without question, believing +this plan has not been decided upon without due +deliberation.”</p> + +<p>“We are to retreat,” Gabriel whispered in my +ear, and at the same moment a groan was heard +from all the assembled men.</p> + +<p>It is well I should dwell upon this scene. Our +force was no greater than five hundred when all +who counted themselves as troopers had come together, +and here were two hundred or more who +could not repress their sorrow because, while they +were threatened, as Master Sinclair had every +proof, by more than three thousand well-armed +men, the greater portion of whom were trained +soldiers, the word had been given to fall back. +This was good evidence of the spirit of patriotism +which animated the hearts of the people of the +Carolinas, that these brave fellows were dissatisfied +only because of not being brought face to face +with an enemy who could conquer them by sheer +force of numbers. If the Cause of Liberty was +crushed out elsewhere, it yet lived and burned with +an ardent flame in the hearts of those who had +pledged themselves to follow General Marion, and +among these patriots we Minute Boys of South +Carolina had the good fortune to be numbered.</p> + +<p>When we rode out from Sinclair’s plantation +knowing beyond a peradventure that we were fleeing +before the enemy, while none would have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span> +openly questioned General Marion’s judgment in +such matters, there were many who grumbled because +of not being allowed to make a stand when +there could be no hope of resisting successfully the +overwhelming numbers which were already in +motion against us.</p> + +<p>Master Sinclair remained behind because his +house and the negro huts were well filled with +wounded men whom he would not abandon, whatever +might be the cost of playing the Good Samaritan. +And here let me stop sufficiently in this poor +story to say that when Tarleton’s legion arrived at +the Sinclair plantation, two days later, they not only +burned all the buildings, but sent Master Sinclair +to the prison-ships in Charleston harbor, apparently +giving no heed to the fact that, save for his desire +to minister to the wounded Britishers, he might +have made good his escape.</p> + +<p>It must not be supposed that we Minute Boys +had, even during the heat of the battle just fought, +forgotten that traitorous cur, Seth Hastings. As +a matter of fact he had been in our minds all the +while, and more than once did we speak of him, +but because no one had seen the young villain, we +came to believe he was returned to Charleston, +where he might remain under the protection of +those whose cause he had espoused apparently only +that he might work harm to his native land. +Therefore it was we counted him the same as having +escaped our vengeance, and were forced to +content ourselves with the hope that the time might +come when we could give him his just deserts.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span>The ride was indeed a sad one for all. Once +we were gone, our people in that section of the +country would be left to the tender mercies of the +British and Tories, who had in other parts of the +Carolinas written their names in blood and flame. +Even though we Minute Boys were yet lads, we +were full grown in the knowledge of what had been +and what would come, therefore we were bowed +down by sorrow as we set our faces in that direction +which would lead us away from home.</p> + +<p>Although not riding hard, we arrived at Snow’s +Island before morning, and after a brief time of +rest for the horses as well as the men, instead of +setting about fortifying the camp, as we lads had +supposed would be the case, it soon became evident +that we were to retreat yet further. There +seemed to be every evidence that General Marion +had, for the time being, given over trying to harass +the enemy.</p> + +<p>Near about noon on the day of our arrival at +the island all the members of the “ragged regiment” +were drawn up in line, and much to their +surprise the following order was given by the general:</p> + +<p>“All married men, and those who are the only +support of a family, are commanded to return to +their homes without delay, and there remain until +such time as they shall be summoned for further +work.”</p> + +<p>There was a deal of grumbling and discontent +because of this disbanding of the force at the very +time when it seemed we were most needed; but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span> +both General Marion and Captain Horry held firm, +obliging each man to disclose whether or no he had +helpless ones depending upon him, and in case of +an affirmative answer he was directed to stand +aside. Thus it was our ranks were weeded out +until no more than sixty, including us Minute Boys, +were left.</p> + +<p>Those who were to return to their homes were +directed to take as much of the provisions which +we had captured from the enemy, as could be conveniently +carried, and the remainder of the plunder +was packed in convenient form for transportation +on our led horses, we having by this time even +more of such animals than could well be cared for.</p> + +<p>An hour before sunset the encampment on +Snow’s Island was abandoned, and the command +dispersed in one direction and another, as I have +said, leaving sixty or thereabouts yet in service.</p> + +<p>It was a mournful parting, when we had crossed +the stream and there separated. Many of those who +were commanded to return to their homes had already +pleaded in vain with the commander for permission +to remain, but all their entreaties were in +vain, and I believe of a verity I have never seen a +more disconsolate lot of men than those comrades +of ours who were obliged to turn their backs upon +danger and privation.</p> + +<p>When we rode forward once more, General +Marion and Captain Horry leading the way, it was +whispered from one to another that our destination +was the Black Mingo Swamp. It seemed incredible +to me that we were to go into North Carolina,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> +leaving our native State absolutely unprotected; +but such proved to be the case, for after riding four +and twenty hours with no more than three halts +by the way, we were come to the place which had +been decided upon as our refuge.</p> + +<p>It was by no means to be despised as an encampment +by those who feared an attack. To come +upon it one was forced to traverse a narrow trail, +where a misstep on one side or the other would +plunge horse and rider into mire and water, for a +distance of two and a half miles, when the traveller +came upon a slight elevation of not more than four +or five acres of solid ground, on which grew perhaps +twenty gigantic oaks.</p> + +<p>It was old Peter who guided us to this place, and +truly had he led us to a safe refuge, for none might +come upon our company save he who was perfectly +familiar with the devious windings of the blind +trail. Had we been closely pursued by the enemy, +then was this a welcome spot, but since our success +had been so great, and the redcoats, when we left +Sinclair’s plantation, yet some distance in the rear, +I failed to understand, as did all the Minute Boys, +why we were thus hiding when it might have been +possible to save many of our people from cruel +treatment.</p> + +<p>It was a question which puzzled us not a little, +as may be supposed, and we turned the matter over +and over among ourselves during the first night in +the new camp, until it was as if our curiosity could +no longer be restrained. Therefore when Archie +Gordon suggested what seemed a simple plan by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span> +which we might learn what we were so eager to +know, without being accused of unsoldierly conduct, +all the lads insisted it should be carried out.</p> + +<p>Archie had argued that, because Gabriel was the +general’s brother, there was no good reason why +he might not ask for an explanation of our movements, +doing so wholly on the plea of kinship, and +not that we as a company had any right to question +the movements of the commander.</p> + +<p>Gabriel was not averse to doing what he might +toward gratifying our curiosity, and at the earliest +possible moment sought an interview with the general, +leaving the remainder of us Minute Boys to +put up a hut similar to the one we had built at the +last encampment.</p> + +<p>When he returned half an hour later we gathered +around him eagerly, and he told us in substance, although +in not the exact words which I have set +down, that our commander and Captain Horry +believed it would be unwise to remain in South +Carolina while the chase was conducted with such +spirit, for further attacks upon the enemy would +result in the entire country being laid waste. It +was to avoid this wholesale destruction of property +and consequent sufferings of the people, that General +Marion had decided to take refuge in the +Black Mingo Swamp, but he counted on remaining +there only until the pursuit had in a certain +degree been abandoned, when all the members of +his command would be summoned for duty, and +we find ourselves with plenty of work cut out for +us.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span>Gabriel’s interview with his brother proved to +be of considerable more importance than that of +gratifying our curiosity.</p> + +<p>The general stated as his belief that we might +be forced to remain inactive for several weeks, and +during that time it was in the highest degree necessary +he should have full information concerning +what was being done in the country roundabout. +To such end he intended to send out two small +parties as scouts, three or four men forming one +company, and an equal number of the Minute Boys +the other. These scouts were to remain absent +eight and forty hours, one squad setting off four +and twenty hours in advance of the other, thereby +ensuring a report at least once every day.</p> + +<p>It goes without saying that this information +pleased us wondrously, for it would have been +heart-sickening to remain there idle while knowing +that the king’s hirelings were working their will +among our people, and even though we might not +have an encounter with them, there was a sense of +satisfaction in knowing that we were at least doing +something in the way of maintaining a hold upon +our own homes, however feeble it might be.</p> + +<p>Even while Gabriel was repeating to us the conversation +which had passed between his brother +and himself, three of the men rode out through +the swamp under the guidance of old Peter, and +we knew that the first party of scouts had begun +the work of gathering information. Then came +the question as to which of our company should +first go on this duty.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span>As a matter of course every fellow was eager +to be up and doing as soon as possible, and it would +have been unfair had Gabriel made any selection +when one had as good a right as another to be +foremost in the work.</p> + +<p>It was Archie Gordon’s proposition that we draw +lots for the coveted task, and in order that there +might be no question as to the fairness of this +method, old Peter was called up as soon as he came +back from guiding the men, to prepare seventeen +twigs, three of which should be shorter than the +others, and those who drew these last were to +comprise the first scouting party.</p> + +<p>If I had been given the privilege of naming these +fortunate ones the matter could not have turned +more to my satisfaction, for, oddly enough, Gabriel, +Archie, and myself drew the shortened twigs. +However much the others might grumble because +they were to remain idle in camp eight and forty +hours, there could be no question as to the fairness +of the award.</p> + +<p>It can well be fancied with what care we groomed +the horses selected for the journey, and how critical +we were in selecting weapons, portioning out the +ammunition, or making up packages of provisions +sufficient to last us two days. We completed this +work before sunset, and then had nothing to do +save wait until the following noon, for it was the +general’s desire that each scouting party should +leave twenty-four hours later than the preceding +one.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me as if the time would never come,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span> +so heavily did the moments lag, and I dare venture +to say we three lads were in the saddle a half an +hour before Captain Horry gave the word for old +Peter to lead us out over the trail. No special +orders had been given. We were simply to scout +in whatsoever direction we chose, taking good care +not to run such risks as might jeopardize our liberty, +for the task set us was to gather information, +without striking a blow, however tempting the opportunity.</p> + +<p>It seemed wise to me that we travel toward the +south, for in that direction not only lay home and +friends, but the enemy as well, although there was +little belief in our minds that we should come +across the redcoats in this section of the country. +It was reasonable to suppose, however, that the +people living near about could give us word concerning +what was being done, and more than that +we did not hope.</p> + +<p>There was a possibility, however, that we might +come across one or more beggarly Tories who were +striving to earn the reward my Lord Clinton had +offered for the discovery of the general’s hiding-place, +and unless we found such cattle in too large +numbers, we were instructed to make them prisoners +in order to prevent their carrying back any +word which would be of value to the enemy.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was we rode along the banks of the +Waccamau River until late in the afternoon, our +faces turned toward Williamsburg District. Then, +as we halted to give our steeds a chance to drink,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span> +Archie said as he dismounted and began to unloose +the girths of his saddle:</p> + +<p>“Since we cannot expect to gain any information +which may be of value during the night, why should +we not halt here rather than four or five miles +farther on?”</p> + +<p>We were the more ready to agree to his proposition +because of having remained in the saddle sufficiently +long to cramp our limbs, and therefore it +was that our scout came to end, for the time being, +hardly fifteen miles from the starting-point. We +picketed our horses in a clump of bushes forty or +fifty feet from the road over which we had been +riding, and then, partaking sparingly of our provisions, +stretched ourselves at full length on the +ground near the animals.</p> + +<p>How it chanced that we three remained there +without speaking I cannot explain, but because of +our silence we were enabled to accomplish that +which had seemed improbable. The sun was already +setting when faintly from the distance, but +sounding nearer and nearer each instant, came the +thud of horses’ hoofs, causing us to hastily seek +better concealment. In due time we saw coming +up the bank of the stream from the south, a party +of seven armed men, or so it seemed, who were +making their way with a certain degree of caution, +which told that they were in search of something +or some one.</p> + +<p>Although not absolutely certain, we felt reasonably +sure these travellers were enemies; but when +the party passed near where we were in hiding they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span> +ceased conversation, and therefore we had no means +of determining who they were, save that all whom +we could see from our place of concealment wore +British accoutrements, while our people held to the +powder-horn and shot-pouch.</p> + +<p>Not until they were lost to view in the distance +did either of us speak, and then it was Archie who +said, much as if he had made an important discovery:</p> + +<p>“They are Tories, and searching for General +Marion’s encampment!”</p> + +<p>“I allow all that to be true, lad, and now what +may be our duty?” Gabriel asked, as if questioning +himself, whereupon I said, without giving weight +to the words:</p> + +<p>“We should learn where they halt for the night, +and then carry the information back to camp.”</p> + +<p>“What say you, Archie?” and I saw from the +expression on Gabriel’s face that he had already +formed some plan in his mind.</p> + +<p>“I believe we have been sent out to learn whatsoever +we may concerning just such people as those +who have passed, and therefore, it seeming reasonable +they will halt for the night shortly, we ought +to creep up on them, for surely some word will be +dropped during their conversation which will give +us an idea of what they are about.”</p> + +<p>“And in case we learn beyond question that they +are Tories?” the dear lad continued with a smile +on his face which told me more positively his mind +was already made up as to our proper course.</p> + +<p>“That is for you to say,” Archie replied.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span> +“Surely Rufus and I have no right to dictate to +the commander of the Minute Boys.”</p> + +<p>“I had supposed we were three scouts working +together, and one of the same rank as another,” +Gabriel said quietly, “but howsoever you put it, +this plan which I have in mind must be agreed to +by both, else I shall abandon it. It seems to me, in +case we learn that those fellows are Tories, we may +safely count on their having been sent out to discover +where the general is in hiding, and therefore +it seems our duty to carry them into camp lest they +learn more than may be advantageous to us.”</p> + +<p>“But they are seven to three,” Archie replied, +without giving himself time to realize he was suggesting +that which might imply fear on his part.</p> + +<p>“Ay, so they are; but did you hesitate to hold +with the troop when we made the attack upon +Major Gainey, where we were outnumbered six or +eight to one?”</p> + +<p>“I have no care as to the numbers,” Archie replied, +coloring deeply as he understood that he had +spoken unwisely. “I am agreed on capturing the +party, and will do my full share.”</p> + +<p>“Of that there is no doubt,” Gabriel said, clapping +him on the shoulder in a friendly fashion, lest +there be somewhat of irritation in his mind. “We +will leave our horses here, and follow those fellows +to where they have encamped for the night, unless +it so be they go too far before halting.”</p> + +<p>There was no need for argument, because we +were all eager for such an adventure as would redound +to our credit, and after making certain that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span> +the horses were securely picketed, we set off up the +road until coming to a point where freshly broken +twigs of bushes told that they had struck across +country.</p> + +<p>There is less difficulty in successfully stalking a +man than a deer, and this last had all three performed +time and time again until it seemed like +a simple task.</p> + +<p>We pressed forward as rapidly as was consistent +with silence, until coming so close upon their heels +that it was possible for us to hear them making +their way through the underbrush, and then followed +at equal pace until such sounds came to us +as told that they had halted.</p> + +<p>Now it was only a matter of waiting, which +under almost any circumstances is a difficult task +to perform patiently, yet every lad who has hunted +wild turkeys is well schooled in such work, and it +can safely be said that we did not risk a valuable +opportunity by being over eager.</p> + +<p>The strangers having advanced with but little +caution, seemed to realize the fact that there might +be enemies in the vicinity, for they refrained from +building a camp-fire, and thus rendered our work +rather more difficult than it otherwise would have +been.</p> + +<p>After it was certain they had settled down for +the night, we crept nearer and nearer until it was +possible to distinguish words spoken in an ordinary +tone, when we remained motionless and silent, +straining our ears to catch that which should tell<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span> +us of what complexion were those whom we had +tracked.</p> + +<p>They talked of this thing and of that; sometimes +as to the good points of their horses, and +again of the make of saddle most suited to a rider, +never saying anything to give us a clue as to their +purpose until nearly two hours had passed, when +the conversation turned upon the next day’s journey, +one of them saying carelessly:</p> + +<p>“There is little likelihood we shall come across +any rebels during the next two or three days’ +march, for all the people around about here are +loyal to the king, therefore may we ride as fast as +we please to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>This was all we heard betokening their intentions, +yet the words were sufficient to tell what we +desired to learn. There could no longer be any +doubt that they were searching for the “ragged +regiment,” incited to such task, most likely, by the +rewards which had been offered by the British for +reliable information concerning the whereabouts of +the “Swamp Fox.”</p> + +<p>It would have been a simple matter for us to +capture a certain number of the party, but in order +to do our work thoroughly it was necessary we take +even the last one, for if either escaped us, then +would the word be carried back that General +Marion was in the vicinity of this camp, because +none save he would venture thus to brave the anger +of the king’s troopers. Therefore it behooved us +to take every precaution lest a single man slip between +our fingers.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span>We waited fully two hours after the last sound +of conversation had died away, and then was it +certain, if the strangers were counting on sleeping +that night, their eyes were closed in rest.</p> + +<p>Gabriel motioned for us to follow him, and we +did so knowing full well that upon the strict silence +in which we made our way all the success of the +adventure depended.</p> + +<p>After creeping for five minutes or more so cautiously +that not a twig snapped beneath our weight, +we came to the small cleared place which the +strangers had selected as an encampment, and even +in the gloom could see that they were sleeping near +the foot of a pine-tree that had been overturned by +the wind. The overhanging mass of roots formed +a certain shelter which served to protect them from +the dew. Their rifles were stacked against one of +the bushes at a distance of no more than three +yards from where they lay, and, as a matter of +course, it was first necessary to secure possession +of these.</p> + +<p>I would have moved on in advance in order to +do this most important portion of the work, but +that Gabriel held me back, himself taking the lead, +and when Archie and I were come within perhaps +a dozen paces of the sleepers, we halted until our +comrade rose up from behind the bushes with the +muskets in his arms.</p> + +<p>Then we stood erect, our weapons levelled full +upon the unconscious men, and Gabriel cried in a +loud voice:</p> + +<p>“You have come to an end of your work as far<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span> +as hunting rebels is concerned, and now yield +yourselves prisoners or we shall fire!”</p> + +<p>The strangers half-rose, staring about them stupidly, +not understanding for several seconds the +true situation of affairs, and while they were trying +to gather their scattered senses it was impossible for +me to restrain a cry of joy and exultation, for +among them was none other than that cur we had +so long been seeking, Seth Hastings.</p> + +<p>At the very moment when we had given over, +for the time being, all hope of coming upon that +traitorous lad, he was in our power. We had +searched for him in this encampment of the enemy +and that, but without succeeding in our purpose, +and now, when making what appeared an unimportant +capture, we had the scoundrel at our mercy.</p> + +<p>He did not recognize us at first, as I understood +by the grayish hue of fear which came over his +face a few seconds after he opened his eyes, and +then, glancing from one to the other only to see +those whom he would have so cruelly wronged, the +Tory villain sank back as if fearing we were about +to wreak vengeance upon him then and there.</p> + +<p>His surprise was no less than ours, and had his +companions kept their wits about them, observing +closely all our movements, they might have succeeded +in effecting their escape while we stared at +the lad in mingled surprise and joy.</p> + +<p>However, exultation soon gave way before the +knowledge of what we had yet to accomplish, and +we set about making certain that those whom we +held at our mercy could not give us the slip.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span>It can well be understood that Seth Hastings was +the first to whom we gave our attention. Archie +and Gabriel stood with levelled muskets while I +advanced unarmed to search the prisoners for concealed +weapons, and bind them in such fashion +that they could not run. When I came to that +Tory cur he gave me a look which told how greatly +it would pleasure him to take my life, and I laughed +aloud as I realized the impotence of his rage.</p> + +<p>“Be careful, Seth Hastings, not to make any +sudden move, or I shall take it as an indication that +you intend mischief, and fire with true aim,” Archie +cried, and again I saw the pallor of fear creep over +the cur’s face. He could plan to send to the prison-ships +three lads who had never done him injury, +and yet cringe with cowardly fear when there was +possibility his own precious body might come to +harm.</p> + +<p>I found on the scoundrel two pistols, which no +doubt had been loaned or given by whatsoever British +officer had sent him in search of us. These I +put in my own pocket, as a matter of course, saying +as I did so:</p> + +<p>“We rebels are not in the way of getting such +fanciful weapons as these, and ought to thank you +for bringing the toys so far.”</p> + +<p>“I will bring you worse than that, Rufus Randolph, +before many days have passed,” he said in +a low, vindictive tone, and I laughed while fastening +his arms behind him with his own belt.</p> + +<p>“It will be necessary for you to give us the slip +before it is possible to work any more of your Tory<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span> +mischief, and I am of the opinion that we shall hold +you fast until it is decided whether you be hanged +as you deserve, or put to death in some other way.”</p> + +<p>Such words were much like striking a fellow +when he was down; but I could not resist the +temptation after all that young villain would have +done to us, and as if he thought I was lingering +too long over the task Gabriel cried:</p> + +<p>“Remember that we have much to do this night, +Rufus Randolph, therefore it stands you in hand +to finish that work as quickly as possible.”</p> + +<p>There was a certain tone of reproof in his voice, +and I realized that it was merited, for I had no +right to indulge myself at such a time, therefore +the remainder of the work was performed with +utmost despatch. Ten minutes later our seven +prisoners, their arms fastened behind them by +straps around each elbow, were lifted on to their +horses, and by way of further precaution we tied +their ankles to the stirrups.</p> + +<p>Then we set out for the place where we had left +our steeds, pushing forward with all speed, for it +was in the highest degree important, or so it seemed +to us, that we should regain the camp in the Black +Mingo Swamp before sunrise next morning, lest +these Tories have friends near about who might +make an effort at rescue.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XII<br> + +<small>A MYSTERIOUS ESCAPE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">After</span> my cowardly words to Seth Hastings—for +it was cowardly to threaten a helpless prisoner +as I had done—the young traitor shut his mouth +closely, showing by the expression on his face that +he was not minded to exchange words with us, and +straightway I had somewhat less of contempt for +the fellow, because he was displaying a certain +amount of courage, when I had believed him to be +the veriest cur that ever went unhanged.</p> + +<p>The other prisoners had not spoken since that +moment when they understood how completely we +had them in our power, and for this silence I was +thankful, because immediately we were ready to +retrace our steps there came into my mind a great +fear lest they might have friends in the vicinity who +could turn the tables, thus preventing us from going +back to camp with proof that we were able to play +the part of men.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, Gabriel took the lead, as +was his right, since we had made him our commander, +and he was not the kind of a lad who +loiters when there is work to be done. He marched +rapidly at the head of our party, leaving to Archie +and me the task of guarding the prisoners, and there +is little need for me to say that we did our portion<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span> +of the task properly, for the slightest carelessness +at such a time might cost us our liberty, if not our +lives.</p> + +<p>“Do not hesitate to shoot with good aim at the +first who makes the least move at attempting to +escape,” the lad had said as we set out with horses +and prisoners through the underbrush, speaking +sufficiently loud for all to hear, and we answered +properly, although there was little we could have +done on the instant had the prisoners turned rusty, +owing to the fact of being loaded down with the +captured weapons.</p> + +<p>I was carrying my own musket and two of those +taken from the prisoners, Archie’s burden was the +same as mine, while Gabriel had charge of the remainder +of the booty, therefore for one of us to +have fired quickly, in case there was need, would +have been well-nigh impossible.</p> + +<p>However, the prisoners were firmly secured on +their horses, and there was no possibility they could +do anything toward effecting their own release, +therefore we had only to guard against a surprise +by whoever might come upon us from the outside. +Under other circumstances we would have realized +that there was little fear of our being discovered +by enemies in that place; but, nervous as we were +through fear that it might not be possible to regain +the encampment with all our spoils of war, even +the rustling of the branches in the night air sounded +to our ears like the tramp of men, and more than +once did the flight of a night bird cause Gabriel to +halt our party in order that he might reconnoitre.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span>How long that short march seemed to me! It +was as if it would never end, and more than once +before we had come upon the place where our +horses had been tethered did I say to myself that +Gabriel had mistaken the direction. I dare say, +however, that we covered the distance in a reasonably +short time, and great was my relief, even +though we were by no means out of the woods, +when we arrived at our first halting-place.</p> + +<p>“It is not for us to linger here,” Gabriel said +when Archie stacked his burden of weapons against +the trunk of a tree as if preparing for a long halt. +“We have yet many miles to cover before sunrise, +for I am not minded to travel in the daytime if it +can be avoided.”</p> + +<p>“You can’t start any too soon to please me,” +Archie replied grimly; “but there is no good reason +why I should hold on my shoulder this property +of the king’s while we are making ready for the +journey. How do you count on carrying all the +weapons?”</p> + +<p>“Leave them here,” I cried quickly. “It is not +well we should burden ourselves with muskets when +it is important to travel rapidly. Better lose all the +weapons than fail to carry our prisoners to the +general.”</p> + +<p>“There is no reason why we should lose anything,” +Gabriel replied quietly as he began saddling +his horse. “We of the Colonies have too much need +for weapons to waste any, and I am counting on +carrying <i>all</i> our booty back to camp.”</p> + +<p>It irritated me because he should be thinking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span> +about spoils of war when it was of such great importance +that the prisoners be lodged where they +could not give information concerning what had +been learned since their capture, and I would have +spoken sharply, but that Archie reminded me of +my duty as a soldier by saying cheerily:</p> + +<p>“It’s for you to say, captain, and we’d be mighty +poor Minute Boys if we kicked against any orders +you may be pleased to give.”</p> + +<p>By using ropes made of twisted vines, we fastened +the muskets to the back of our saddles in such +a manner that they would not be likely to catch in +the bushes while we rode through the underbrush, +and no more than five minutes were spent in thus +making ready. Then the prisoners’ horses were +fastened by their bridle-reins, head and tail, in a +fashion which would force each animal to keep the +pace set by the leader, and the steed rode by the +foremost, which was Seth Hastings, was to be led +by Gabriel.</p> + +<p>My post was immediately in the rear, where I +could keep sharp watch of the entire line, and +Archie rode midway the column to make certain +the prisoners were not trying to wriggle out of +their bonds. It would not be possible for us to +travel swiftly in this fashion, but however necessary +it might be to make haste, there was infinitely more +need to prevent the escape of a prisoner, for if even +one gave us the slip he could carry to the Britishers +news of our whereabouts as well as if the whole +boiling got away.</p> + +<p>“Keep your eyes and ears open,” Gabriel said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span> +warningly, as he urged his horse forward, forcing +the entire line to move, and at a walk we made our +way through the underbrush until coming to the +road, when, with a word of warning that the pace +was to be increased, Gabriel pushed forward at a +sharp trot.</p> + +<p>It must have been a disagreeable ride for those +who were tied in their saddles, but we gave little +thought to their discomforts, and even though we +had, I question if we would have made any great +effort to relieve men who had been trying to work +us all possible harm.</p> + +<p>Now it was we took the chances that there might +be enemies in front of us, for instead of making any +effort to learn if the way was clear, we rode on at +our best pace without regard to the possibility, all +three of us believing that unless we could regain +the encampment before another day came the +danger would have increased tenfold.</p> + +<p>Twice did we stop to give the horses water, but +at such times, no conversation was indulged in. +One of the eldest of the Tories would have asked +how much farther he must ride thus strapped to +the saddle, but Gabriel sharply told him to hold his +peace, else would we gag all the party, and from +that on, until we were arrived, never one of the +renegades ventured to wag his tongue.</p> + +<p>During such time as I was not looking into the +future with fear and trembling lest in the very +moment of our triumph we should be cut off by +friends of the prisoners, I was hugging to my heart +the joyful thought that at last we had Seth Hastings<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span> +in our power. The cur had done all he might +to compass our death, and while there was no idea +in my mind as to how we could punish him properly, +I was determined that he should not escape +due penalty of his crimes.</p> + +<p>The gray light of coming day had but just appeared +in the eastern sky when we were challenged +by the sentinels at the edge of the Black Mingo +Swamp, and the journey had been performed in +good shape. It was necessary we wait until some +one could be summoned to guide us over the narrow +trail, however, and during such time of idleness +we were forced to tell our story in order to +satisfy the curiosity of the troopers on guard, both +of whom were strangers to me.</p> + +<p>It was Gabriel who gave an account of our work, +and when he was come to an end one of the men +said, as he clapped the lad heartily on the knee:</p> + +<p>“When I heard that you youngsters were setting +yourselves up as Minute Boys I laughed at the idee, +allowin’ that it wouldn’t be overly long before you +got us, as well as yourselves, into some bloomin’ +scrape, but now I’m ready to take it all back. +When a party of lads can go out on a scout, an’ +bring back with them every blessed Tory who was +on our trail, it shows that we old ones ain’t the +whole thing in this ’ere one-sided fight. Keep up +the good work, an’ if it so be I hear any conceited +soldier so much as breathin’ loud agin what you +may do, I’ll read him a lesson.”</p> + +<p>Although it was sweet to hear such words of +praise, and we were treated to very many, it was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span> +with a sigh of relief that I saw old Peter’s black +face coming from out of the bushes to guide us +across the swamp, and when he in turn would have +insisted on knowing how we had been able to make +such an important capture, I bade him hold his +peace until we were safe within the encampment.</p> + +<p>The troopers were at breakfast when we rode in +among them, and every man’s mouth was open so +wide with astonishment at seeing what we had +brought that never a word was spoken until General +Marion, coming up as we dismounted, said as he +laid his hand affectionately on Gabriel’s shoulder:</p> + +<p>“I knew full well you lads would give a good +account of yourselves whenever the opportunity +offered. Captain Horry will look after the prisoners, +while you join us at the morning meal, for +it stands to reason that you are in need of food as +well as rest. The story of what you have done will +keep until you are in the humor for telling it, +though one question is necessary: Did you leave +behind any who may carry information to the +enemy?”</p> + +<p>“We took all that were in sight,” Archie cried +gleefully, not waiting for Gabriel to make reply, +and Captain Horry clasped me by the hand as he +said in a low tone:</p> + +<p>“You Minute Boys have begun well, and I doubt +not but that you will keep up the work; the best +troopers in our ‘ragged regiment’ could not have +done better, as it now seems.”</p> + +<p>Then he turned to take charge of our prisoners, +who looked as if they might drop from the saddles<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span> +with fatigue but for the bonds which held them +firmly in place, and Gabriel said, as he followed his +brother:</p> + +<p>“Kindly have especial care of Seth Hastings, +captain! We have been a long while in bringing +him to book, and it would be a grievous disappointment +if he should give us the slip now.”</p> + +<p>“You need have no fear,” the captain replied +with a laugh. “I’ll answer for it that never one +of them leaves this swamp until it is our good +pleasure to have him go.”</p> + +<p>I delayed until seeing the Tories and our traitor +led away by three men whom, the captain had summoned +with a gesture, and then I joined my comrades, +who had already begun to eat of the food +before them as if on the verge of starvation.</p> + +<p>How happy we were then! How much of praise +did we receive as the story was told, thus showing +that we had brought into camp every person found +on our journey against whom suspicions might be +entertained!</p> + +<p>Before we had finished breakfast the scouts who +were to go out in our stead made ready for the +work, and their comrades bade them look well to the +laurels of the “ragged regiment,” for if they returned +without as much to show for the time spent +as we Minute Boys had brought in, then would it +be no more than right we lads take charge of the +entire troop because of having shown ourselves +better soldiers.</p> + +<p>After this time of story-telling and jesting had +passed, and certain it is we of the Carolinas had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span> +little opportunity in those days to display gay +spirits, we lads—meaning all the Minute Boys—went +to the outer edge of the encampment that we +might make certain our prisoners had been safely +confined.</p> + +<p>Surely we had little reason to complain that +Captain Horry had not attended to his portion of +the work in proper fashion. The captives were +each secured to a tree by the same bond which confined +his elbows, and while he might change his +position somewhat when his limbs were cramped, +certain it was that no one could free himself unaided.</p> + +<p>Seth Hastings looked up at us from under his +eyebrows as we approached, and if his look could +have killed, then had we been stricken dead on the +instant. I never saw a more deadly expression +of hatred on any person’s face than darkened his, +and yet we had not attempted to do him a wrong—we +had been his friends up to the very moment +when he tried to compass our undoing. Some such +thought as this was in my mind as I came up to +where the young traitor was held by his bonds, and +asked, with more of curiosity than malice in my +voice:</p> + +<p>“Why did you set yourself so suddenly against +us, Seth Hastings? Why did you try to work our +ruin at the very moment when we were proving +our friendliness by proposing that you be our comrade?”</p> + +<p>He did not answer for the moment, and Archie +replied for him by saying:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span>“Because he is first cousin to the viper that +stung the hand which warmed him. More times +than can well be counted have I done that cur a +good turn, and it was only two days before he +would have delivered us to the Britishers, that I +gave him food because he claimed to be hungry.”</p> + +<p>“Was I bound to turn rebel because you saw +fit to do so?” Seth asked surlily, and Gabriel cried:</p> + +<p>“How can you call a ‘rebel’ him who would +simply defend his own home? If I mistake not, +you cried out as loudly as any other against the +king when we were besieged, and it seemed possible +we of Charleston might be able to hold our +own.”</p> + +<p>“All that might be, and yet had I the right to +change my colors when it was seen that the rebellion +was the same as crushed,” Seth cried, and +I fancied that his cheeks were reddened with shame +even as he spoke.</p> + +<p>“If it was in your mind to change colors, the +manly way would have been to declare yourself, +but instead of so doing you allowed us to think you +had the welfare of the Carolinas at heart, in order +that you might play the traitor more successfully,” +Gabriel said sternly, and then turning toward me +he added, “It gives a decent lad a bad taste in the +mouth to bandy words with the cur. Let us leave +him alone till such time as we can decide how we +may settle the score he has run up against himself.”</p> + +<p>“You do not dare do more than hold me prisoner +of war!” the villain cried in fear, and Jared +Green said with a laugh:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span>“By what right do you count yourself a prisoner +of war, you traitorous Tory? Have you joined +the king’s forces?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that I have! You know as much without +asking the question,” and Seth looked imploringly +toward his companions in captivity as if asking +them to bear witness that he had been received by +the Britishers as a soldier.</p> + +<p>“Even the redcoats wouldn’t take such as you +in their ranks!” Archie cried sharply. “The only +claim you can make is that you have promised every +officer you came across to lead them to this encampment, +when you knew no more about it than +does my Lord Clinton.”</p> + +<p>“I came mighty near smoking you out,” the cur +cried in short-lived triumph. “It was me who +showed these honest men the way.”</p> + +<p>“You told us that we were three full days’ march +from this place,” one of the Tories said angrily. +“If you had known half as much as you professed +to be acquainted with, we would not now be in +such a hobble.”</p> + +<p>“Let him alone, and come with me,” Gabriel +whispered. “I’m thinking his punishment has begun, +for it is easily seen that the others are inclined +to put on his shoulders all the blame for their plight, +and they will say more harsh words to the scoundrel +than we could devise.”</p> + +<p>Then Gabriel and I walked away, leaving two +of the troopers on guard against any attempt at +escape, and nearly all the Minute Boys followed, +believing that now was come the time when we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span> +would decide what should be the fate of the traitor +we had captured.</p> + +<p>Understanding what was in their minds, I grew +uneasy lest that be done which might be a black +mark against us as soldiers, for such we surely +were then, even though by age we were forced to +call ourselves boys. When Seth Hastings was at +liberty, and we searching for him, it seemed to me +as if there was no punishment we could deal out +which would be too great for the injury he would +have inflicted; but now that he was in our power +I began to fear lest the lads would wreak such a +vengeance as might cause us shame in after years. +Much of that which was in my mind I repeated to +Gabriel as we walked through the encampment, +and he replied in a whisper:</p> + +<p>“The general has the same fear, as he told me +at the first opportunity after we arrived. He begs +that we treat him as an ordinary prisoner, leaving +aside our anger against him for a later time, when +we are no longer seeking to serve our country as +Minute Boys.”</p> + +<p>We did not have further chance for private converse. +Our comrades began to clamor for judgment +against the traitor, and it was necessary the matter +be settled at once, else might some of the hotter-headed +take it into their own hands to deal out +punishment.</p> + +<p>Gabriel was not disposed to waste any time, but, +calling for the lads to follow him, led the way beyond +the encampment, where we might discuss the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span> +situation without fear of being overheard by the +troopers.</p> + +<p>I wish it was possible for me to set down all that +was said when we discussed Seth Hastings’s affairs, +for then it would be seen how difficult it was for +Gabriel and me to hold the Minute Boys in check. +Archie Gordon was as insistent as any of the others +that we take some signal revenge, claiming that +since it was against him, as one of the original +Minute Boys, Seth had first tried to do a grievous +wrong, he had a right to name at least a third of +the punishment to be inflicted.</p> + +<p>“And what would you say should be done with +him?” Gabriel asked.</p> + +<p>“Give him plenty of time to realize what was +coming, and then hang the cur to a tree till his +miserable life was fled!”</p> + +<p>Nor was Archie the most vindictive of our company. +More than one believed we would be warranted +in flogging him once each day for a week +before putting him to death, and only two besides +Gabriel and myself claimed that we had no right +to pay off private scores while we professed to be +serving the Colonies as soldiers.</p> + +<p>Not until Gabriel had called for his brother to +say what he believed right, did we succeed in stilling +the cries for revenge, and even then the majority +of our company claimed the right to do as they +saw fit, without regard to the general’s views, insisting +that the traitor had shown his cloven foot +before there was such an organization as the Minute +Boys.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span>However, by noon we had silenced those who +would have tortured the prisoner, even though +without convincing them, and Gabriel whispered +to me as the conference broke up:</p> + +<p>“I am afraid some of our lads may take the +matter into their own hands, and that be done which +will cause us shame. Keep a sharp lookout on all +hands this day, Rufus, and perhaps as time passes +they may come to look at the matter more reasonably.”</p> + +<p>There could be no question but that Gabriel had +cause for fear, as I saw when the discussion was at +an end, for then, those who were disgruntled because +of not being allowed to wreak signal vengeance +on the traitor gathered by themselves at a +considerable distance from their comrades, and because +Archie Gordon was sorest among the soreheads, +I followed him, insisting on discussing the +question privately.</p> + +<p>It was a long, difficult task, but I finally succeeded +in gaining his promise that he would refrain +from advocating harsh measures against the prisoner, +but leave the matter in the hands of the general, +where, as I claimed, and with good reason, it +rightfully belonged.</p> + +<p>“I will do as you say, Rufus, though it goes +mightily against the grain to let that scoundrel off +as if he had done nothing more than may be permitted +an honest Tory—if, perchance, there be +any of that breed who is honest.”</p> + +<p>“Better have it go against the grain, Archie, +than do that which would cause you shame in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span> +years to come. General Marion will see to it that +the cur does not go unpunished, and, as a matter +of fact, he has the right to take charge of the affair +since he is our commander, even though we claim +to be an independent company.”</p> + +<p>From that time on, until nightfall, Archie did +what he might toward inducing the other lads to +give over their cry for revenge, and when the sun +had set I believed that we need have no fear the +traitor would be treated other than as a prisoner.</p> + +<p>I question if there was one of our company who +did not go several times during the evening to make +certain our precious prisoners were securely +guarded, and of a verity there seemed to be little +fear they could give us the slip. In addition to +being firmly bound, each to a tree, two of the +troopers remained close at hand to watch every +movement, and I said to Gabriel, when he and I +went for the last time that night to assure ourselves +of the vigilance of the sentinels and the strength +of the bonds:</p> + +<p>“There is no reason for us to fear that they +will not be here in the morning, and because we +had but little sleep last night, we shall be wiser to +get what slumber we may now, rather than keep +running to and fro, concerning ourselves with what +the troopers will do in even better shape than we +could.”</p> + +<p>Then we two lay down on the ground in that +portion of the encampment which we claimed belonged +to the company of Minute Boys, and certain +it is that I wasted no time in falling asleep.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span>Another day had come when I opened my eyes, +having been aroused by a violent outcry, and, arising +lazily to a sitting posture, I asked with but little +of curiosity:</p> + +<p>“What’s the meaning of all that disturbance?”</p> + +<p>Before those who were nearest could make reply, +even if they had been able to do so, Archie Gordon +came running toward us at full speed, anger written +on every feature of his face as he cried:</p> + +<p>“Now we can understand why the general was +so eager to prevent us from serving out that miserable +traitor as he deserved! I was a blind fool +for not having understood it all!”</p> + +<p>“What has gone wrong, Archie?” Gabriel +asked, as he rose to his feet, and the angry lad replied:</p> + +<p>“Gone wrong? Everything, when men who +claim to be soldiers turn their hands to aid one who +would betray us to the Britishers! He was our +prisoner, and no one, not even the general, had the +right to set him free!”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean? Who has been set free?” +I asked impatiently, and Archie cried, his voice +hoarse with rage:</p> + +<p>“That cur—Seth Hastings, who would have +been hanged long ere this had we not listened to +your soft words!”</p> + +<p>It can readily be understood that I was on my +feet by this time, and when Gabriel set off at full +speed toward where the prisoners had been last +seen, I was close at his heels.</p> + +<p>When we arrived it was to find fifteen or twenty<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span> +of the troopers moving about uneasily, as if having +suddenly discovered there was a traitor in their +midst, and the two men on duty as sentinels were +endeavoring to explain that there had been no +change in the situation since they went on guard.</p> + +<p>“I did not think it necessary to count the prisoners,” +one of them said in a tone which carried +conviction with it, “but I’ll go bail that the mischief +hasn’t been done since three o’clock this morning. +Perhaps those who had a grudge against the fellow +have taken him away for purposes of their own,” +and he looked meaningly at Archie Gordon.</p> + +<p>It was a full minute before I could get a view +of the prisoners, and then I saw six men, who were +striving unsuccessfully to prevent any sign of concern +from appearing on their faces, each securely +bound as on the evening previous; but the seventh—Seth +Hastings—had disappeared, leaving behind +him only the leather belt with which his arms +had been pinioned.</p> + +<p>“How does it come that the young traitor got +away, while all the others are yet secure?” I cried, +and one of the troopers replied with a meaning look +at us lads:</p> + +<p>“I reckon the Minute Boys have no need to ask +questions. They had a score to settle with the lad +who’s missin’, an’ it stands to reason the account +has been closed by this time.”</p> + +<p>There was no need to ask Archie Gordon if he +had had any hand in the disappearance of Seth Hastings. +He could not have simulated such anger as +he had displayed since the escape was discovered,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span> +and I felt positive the other members of the company +would not have committed what had the look +of a crime, more particularly after it had been +agreed between us all that the Tory traitor be left +in charge of our commander.</p> + +<p>These thoughts had just formed themselves in +my mind when General Marion came up, and it was +possible to see that he had been seriously disturbed.</p> + +<p>“Does any one here know aught concerning the +escape?” he asked sharply, and after waiting a +moment for a reply, added sorrowfully, “The success +of that which we would do depends entirely +upon our being true to each other. If we have one +among us whose sympathies are with the Tories, +or one willing to avenge private wrongs after having +the same as passed his word to the contrary, +then will it be impossible for us to be of any aid to +South Carolina now in her time of deepest trouble +and danger.”</p> + +<p>“I will answer for it that none of the Minute +Boys has done this thing,” Gabriel cried stoutly. +“In the first place, we have not among us one who +would thus break what is the same as his pledged +word, and then again, it would have been impossible +for a single lad to have left our hut without my +knowledge, for I did not sleep overly well last +night.”</p> + +<p>“Then is the matter even more serious than I +had feared, for there is a traitor among us who +have pledged our lives to the Cause, and while he +remains undetected are we all in gravest danger.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span>With this the general walked away as if determined +upon some course of action, and we Minute +Boys remained staring at each other in fear and +dismay.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIII<br> + +<small>THE SEARCH FOR THE TRAITOR</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> goes without saying that we lads were furious +at having lost the prisoner whom we had been so +eager to take, but after talking the matter over with +Captain Horry we forgot our own disappointment +in a measure, as we understood more fully the +meaning of that which the general had said.</p> + +<p>That some one in the encampment had aided +Seth Hastings to escape was positive, for all us +Minute Boys had assured ourselves that the young +traitor could not by any possibility remove his +bonds, and this we did not only twice or three +times during the day, but when we left him for the +night.</p> + +<p>It was equally certain the Tories could not have +rendered any assistance, for they were as helpless +as he, and therefore did the matter narrow down to +two questions. The first, as to whether some of our +company of Minute Boys, angered because the cur +was to be treated as a prisoner of war, had taken +him away in order to wreak vengeance; while the +second and more serious was, in the event of our +company being able to show that the Minute Boys +had no hand in the matter, as to who had released +the wretch.</p> + +<p>It was indeed a serious matter in more ways than<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span> +one if Seth had been released and was now able to +work us harm, because it was within his power to +conduct the enemy over the trail which led across +the swamp to our encampment.</p> + +<p>More serious indeed than this last, was the fact +that if the villain had found a friend in our encampment, +then had we a traitor among us, and +this possibility was sufficient to make even the most +courageous tremble.</p> + +<p>General Marion’s plans were not kept secret from +his followers, and if one was ready to do whatsoever +he might against the Cause, then were the possibilities +for mischief greater far than we could +reckon.</p> + +<p>Our company of Minute Boys were gathered in +the camp we had built, discussing the matter, when +Captain Horry came over to have a talk with us, +and after he had gone we remained there until, considerably +to our surprise, General Marion appeared.</p> + +<p>He shook his head when we arose to our feet +expecting he would enter, and said in a tone more +grave than I had ever heard him use:</p> + +<p>“I have no time to waste, lads, for it may be +the situation demands immediate change of camp. +It is of the highest importance that I know beyond +a peradventure whether any of you Minute Boys, +believing it your right to inflict punishment upon +your own prisoner, have taken Seth Hastings away. +I will not ask what you may have done with him; +but this it is necessary for the safety of all I should +know: Are any of you responsible for his absence? +Do not answer now,” he said, holding up his hand<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span> +as half a dozen of us rose to speak. “Discuss the +matter among yourselves until you are thoroughly +well convinced of the gravity of the situation, and +then tell the truth like honest men. The question +simply is if one of you know how the lad escaped? +I shall expect an answer within half an hour.”</p> + +<p>With that the general walked away, and we remained +silent and motionless, staring at each other, +for already had we come to realize how dangerous +was the position of this handful of men who yet +remained true to the Cause if the scoundrel was at +liberty, and I hoped sincerely that some of our fellows +would be able to declare with truth that they +had had a hand in his escape, for then would our +position be far less perilous.</p> + +<p>Gabriel put the question to all in such a way that +I understood he had much the same thoughts as +mine, and I fancied he, like me, was hoping, even +though it would have been to the discredit of our +company, that some of the lads had taken it upon +themselves to punish the cur regardless of the +pledge we had much the same as made.</p> + +<p>Not a lad spoke in reply to the question as to +whether any one could give information concerning +Seth Hastings, and Gabriel said, pleading with the +members of our company for the truth:</p> + +<p>“The general has told us that he will put no +other question than the one I have just asked, which +is: ‘Does any lad among us know how Seth Hastings +got away?’ We will drop all inquiry if one +or more of you acknowledge having had a hand +in his disappearance, and, so far as I am concerned,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span> +gain most intense relief of mind, because then there +can be no question that any of those who have +pledged their services to the Cause under General +Marion did so with traitorous intent.”</p> + +<p>No lad spoke, and Archie cried passionately:</p> + +<p>“Put the question to each in turn, asking every +lad to say on his oath as a Minute Boy, and as a +native of the Carolinas, whether he knows aught +concerning him.”</p> + +<p>“I solemnly swear that I did not see or have +any communication whatsoever with Seth Hastings +from the time I left him last night bound securely, +and have no knowledge whatsoever of how he may +have escaped or been spirited away,” Gabriel said, +answering first for himself, and then turning to +me, put the same question, following it up by naming +each lad in turn.</p> + +<p>Thus it was we Minute Boys swore positively +we had no hand whatsoever in the disappearance of +the traitor, and I knew beyond a possibility of +doubt that each and every one had spoken the +truth.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was there could be no longer any +question but that among the men who had sworn +to labor earnestly for the Cause was one who stood +ready to do whatsoever he might against us. If +you can picture to yourself our position, surrounded +on every hand by redcoats and Tories who thirsted +for our blood,—we the only persons in all the +Carolinas who were ready to bear arms against the +enemy,—you may have some faint idea of the consternation,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span> +ay, the terror, which came upon us with +such knowledge.</p> + +<p>Gabriel lost no time in reporting to his brother +the result of the questioning, and while he was +absent we lads whispered among ourselves, speaking +as people do in the presence of the dead, for +already did it seem as if we were doomed.</p> + +<p>Through the information that had been brought +in by those who yet remained friendly to the Cause, +we knew that Tarleton with his legion, and Colonel +Wemyss in command of not less than a full regiment, +were hot in pursuit of us, and if either of +these forces should so surround our little band +that retreat was impossible, then would we be cut +down to the last man, for according to my Lord +Clinton’s proclamation, no mercy was to be shown—we +were outlaws already doomed to death.</p> + +<p>Before Gabriel returned, the scouts who had been +sent out four and twenty hours in advance of us +lads, returned bringing with them such a budget of +news as would have raised our spirits to the highest +notch, but for the fact that we had among us one +who might not be trusted, and who he was it seemed +impossible to learn.</p> + +<p>Each man must perforce look at his neighbor +with doubt, and those who were most devoted to +the Cause could not but understand that they were +liable at any moment to be suspected of traitorous +design. It seemed to me as if the efficiency of the +force must be weakened until it was possible to +discover which of that devoted band was playing +the Judas.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span>Now let me set down here what we learned from +our lately returned scouts, the information covering +all the time from the day when we set free the one +hundred and fifty prisoners who refused, save in the +case of a few true men, to join our force. Major +Wemyss had marched seventy miles from Nelson’s +Ferry straight across the district of Williamsburg, +devastating a path fifteen miles in breadth after +such a merciless fashion that one would have said +he had been taught in the school of the savage.</p> + +<p>All the dwellings on his way, save those occupied +by well-known Tories, were given to flames; the +people were plundered of their possessions; such +property as the troopers could not use was destroyed, +while the animals were wantonly shot and +allowed to rot where they fell; those who were thus +plundered saw all of their buildings swept away by +fire, and they, even to the women and children, +were held forcibly back to prevent them from saving +the smallest article of value.</p> + +<p>Men were hung without a semblance of trial, and +when their loved ones pleaded for mercy, the British +soldiers rode them down. All the time it seemed +almost as if the good God had forsaken the Colonies, +yet we came to know that these acts of barbarous +cruelty were necessary to arouse our people +from the fear and despondency into which they +had fallen.</p> + +<p>The scouts reported that those men who had been +lukewarm in the Cause, and yet were not Tories, +had been aroused by these acts of wanton cruelty, +and now asked only for an opportunity to make<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span> +reprisals and at the same time defend their homes. +They were ready, so the information came, to join +General Marion as soon as he should be willing to +receive them, and even those who had been rescued +at Nelson’s Ferry and refused at the time to enlist, +were now begging for an opportunity to bear arms +against the foe.</p> + +<p>Verily did it seem as if the people of the Carolinas +had needed just such a lesson as the Britishers +were eager to give them, in order that they might +be taught their duty, and now has come the time +when the “ragged regiment” could be recruited +to a full battalion.</p> + +<p>Save for the fact of that unknown traitor who +lurked among us, we would have rejoiced exceedingly +at the news brought in, for it told us that at +last might it be possible for us to stand up like men +against the foe, instead of being forced to skulk +here and there, striking a blow only against small +bands of Tories or detached squads of soldiers.</p> + +<p>We lads speculated long and earnestly after hearing +the reports of the scouts, as to what General +Marion might decide upon doing, and before the +sun set did we have an inkling of his plans, for then +word was given that each man should provide himself +with as much of provisions and ammunition as +could be conveniently carried, to the end that he be +ready for the march at a moment’s notice.</p> + +<p>Now, as Gabriel and I figured it out, and as a +matter of course we could but little more than guess +at what might be in the commander’s mind, it had +been decided we must continue the work while the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span> +traitor remained a member of the force, for it +would be impossible to ferret him out, because if the +question was put, as it had been to us lads, to the +other members of the company, he who was ready +to sell his country to the enemy would be loudest +in protesting his innocence.</p> + +<p>It was a great risk to run, thus setting off with +one in our midst who was looking for every opportunity +to betray us, and yet no other course could +be pursued. We might not remain even in hiding +now that Seth Hastings was escaped to tell what +he knew concerning our whereabouts.</p> + +<p>The encampment in the Black Mingo was abandoned +in much the same fashion as had been the +one at Snow’s Island, save that in this instance we +left no men behind to guard the plunder, for it +would have been dooming them to death in case +Seth Hastings led any force to that place. Whatsoever +we had there that could not be carried away +on our saddles, must fall into the hands of the +enemy, since we could not guard it.</p> + +<p>It was two hours before sunset when word was +given to break camp, and little did we lads, as we +climbed into the saddle, dream of the exhausting +march before us.</p> + +<p>I might fill many pages with words descriptive +of what we suffered, but must leave it to the imagination +of him who reads these lines, simply stating +that during the succeeding three days and three +nights we made no more of halts than was absolutely +necessary in order to keep the animals up to +their work; at times so stiff and lame that it was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span> +with difficulty we could remain in the saddle, and +on dismounting required assistance before it was +possible to take our position in the line.</p> + +<p>I question if many of us could have withstood +such a physical strain, but for the fact that here and +there, as we rode along, our force was joined by +men who had hitherto been lukewarm in the Cause +yet were now burning with that same desire which +had animated us, and this knowledge, that the +people of the Carolinas were at last awakening +from the lethargy which had come upon them when +the redcoats overran the land, gave us a certain +fictitious strength to hold out until the end of the +journey.</p> + +<p>The end came when we were once more on the +banks of Lynch’s Creek, where were gathered no +less than four hundred well-armed men waiting for +the commander whom they knew full well would +lead them wheresoever the enemy might be found, +regardless of the dangers.</p> + +<p>Here it was, while we lay upon the ground absolutely +helpless after the long march, that we +learned of the work which lay near at hand, and if +it was to be performed, must be begun with the +least possible delay, so it appeared to us. These +new recruits told us that Colonel Wemyss had retired +to Georgetown, weary with chasing the +“Swamp Fox,” and a body of six hundred well-armed +Tories, under the command of Captain John +Bell, were encamped only fifteen miles below us on +the bank of the creek.</p> + +<p>Now it must be understood that we had arrived<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span> +at this halting-place when the afternoon of the +third day was about half-spent, and I venture to say +that of all our company who had come from the +Black Mingo, none save the commander himself, +and, possibly, Captain Horry, had been able to hold +their eyes open, so heavily did slumber weigh upon +them. Yet these two, quite as much fatigued as +any of the others, had such devotion to their country, +that instead of giving themselves up to the repose +which was so sadly needed, turned all their +attention, regardless of bodily weariness, toward +mapping out for that very night another blow to +be struck against those who were devastating the +Carolinas.</p> + +<p>That General Marion was considerate of those +who followed him, ever ready to take upon himself +the brunt of all the hard knocks, is shown by the +fact that not until near midnight did he and Captain +Horry set about wakening us, who lay in a +deep sleep of fatigue like unto dead men. It was +necessary that some of the men be dragged around +roughly, and even lifted to their feet, before the +chain of slumber was shaken off. As a matter +of fact, I saw a trooper mounting his horse, having +saddled him while his eyes were closed, and I believe +of a verity the man was even then moving +unconsciously in his sleep.</p> + +<p>When we were mounted, however, General Marion +awakened us most thoroughly by saying in that +clear, ringing voice of his, which was like unto a +trumpet:</p> + +<p>“Hardly more than two hour’s ride from this encampment<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span> +is a force of those renegades whom we +call Tories. They outnumber us slightly, but even +though they were twice as many, I believe you who +have served so gallantly since I came into the Williamsburg +district could whip them in open field. +We are told that recruits are flocking from every +quarter to this section to join us, and by waiting +we may double our strength, yet it is possible the +enemy might take alarm if given too much time. +Therefore have I proposed that we march at once +to strike such a blow as shall give Tarleton and +Wemyss to understand that the spirit of liberty +has been revived, rather than broken, by their +butcheries and barbarities.”</p> + +<p>A ringing cheer, in which every man participated, +was the answer to this speech, and more than that +no commander could need.</p> + +<p>It is not my intention to linger long over that +which we did on this night, however much pride I +could have in the telling. If I am to set down +what we Minute Boys did before the invaders were +driven from the soil, then must I hurry over this +action, else shall I find myself cut short for lack of +space before the tale is really come to an end. +Therefore it is that I propose to copy down here +what I afterward saw printed; it was written by +one of those men who make a business of telling +the history of one portion of the world or another, +and because you can take it as no more than bare +truth, I stand no chance of hearing it said I colored +matters too highly simply to give more glory to the +Minute Boys of South Carolina than they deserved.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span>It is necessary I first explain, however, what we +came to learn on arriving near where the Tories +were encamped. There it was we learned that the +enemy were on the south side of the creek, and in +order to come at them we must cross a wooden +bridge upon which, however cautiously we might +ride, the sound of our horses’ hoofs would ring out +sharply enough to give the alarm. It was thus that +the Tories were made aware of our coming, for no +sooner had the foremost of our men ridden across +the planks than the alarm was sounded from the +encampment. Now shall the story be told in words +of another:</p> + +<p>“After the alarm-gun sounded, promptness and +swift riding were as necessary as had been caution, +and the general ordered his men to follow him at a +gallop until the force reached the main road, about +three hundred yards from where it was known the +enemy lay.</p> + +<p>“Here, with the exception of a small number +who were to act as cavalry, the entire command dismounted. +A body of picked men was ordered down +the road to attack the house where a goodly portion +of the Tories had been posted. Two companies +of footmen under Captain Horry were sent to the +right, the cavalry being ordered to the left to support +the attack, and General Marion himself bringing +up the rear.</p> + +<p>“It so happened, however, that the Tories had +left the house immediately after being alarmed, and +were strongly drawn up in a field near at hand. +Here it was they encountered Horry’s command on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span> +the advance, with a fire equally severe and unexpected. +The effect was that of a surprise upon the +Colonists, and Horry’s troops fell back in confusion, +but were promptly rallied and brought on the charge.</p> + +<p>“Immediately the battle became obstinate and +bloody, but the appearance of the men who had +been ordered to attack the house, and who came +up suddenly in the rear of the Tories, soon brought +it to a close. Finding themselves between two fires, +the enemy gave way in all directions to flee for +refuge toward the neighboring swamp.”</p> + +<p>The same historian states that we lost near about +twenty men, when as a matter of fact, I know beyond +a peradventure we had but one killed and two +wounded.</p> + +<p>Another mistake which the same historian makes, +is that we took twenty-three prisoners, whereas I +saw one hundred and two ranged in line when the +last of the fugitives had disappeared in the swamp.</p> + +<p>The Minute Boys saw but little of this engagement, +owing to the fact that they were counted as +among the cavalry, and the mounted men had little +of fighting to do, not being ordered into action until +mayhap four or five minutes before the victory was +complete.</p> + +<p>It was another feather in the cap of General +Marion, and yet further reason why Tarleton and +Wemyss should come once more upon our trail, +but of this fact we gave little heed just then, for +having been hunted so long, it was no new sensation.</p> + +<p>We understood, however, that this last victory<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span> +would win for us yet more recruits, and was of +greatest aid to us in the work of driving the invader +from the Carolinas.</p> + +<p>It is not needed I say we took possession of the +Tory encampment that night. Immediately after +our work had been so thoroughly done, it was as if +every man who had taken part in the long march +from the Black Mingo suddenly became conscious +of the fatigue which was his, and which had been +banished only by the excitement of the engagement. +Those recruits whom we found awaiting us +on the bank of Lynch’s Creek stood guard against +a possible attack, and we weary ones, after giving +our faithful steeds a goodly store of provender belonging +to the Tories, lay down wherever we +chanced to be, there to sleep without interruption +until the sun marked the hour of noon.</p> + +<p>The first duty which we Minute Boys attended +to after being aroused from a most refreshing slumber +was the care of our horses. The poor animals +had not been groomed since we left the Black +Mingo, and more than one of them was severely +galled from having worn a saddle so long. Therefore +it was we had little opportunity for conversation +until the day was well-nigh at an end, and +word whispered about camp that shortly after sunset +we were to make another change of quarters +lest the enemy come upon us unawares. More than +one of our fellows grumbled because, after striking +a blow, we were forced to run away like frightened +sheep, and to these Gabriel made answer much like +this:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span>“Before our work has been finished we shall +march and countermarch many a weary mile, for I +question if there be true men enough living in the +Carolinas to make up such an army as would be +needed to stand long against the force which +the Britishers will send. Because Tarleton and +Wemyss have seemingly tired of chasing us, is +no proof that they will not soon be in hot pursuit. +While we were at the Black Mingo they may have +believed it was General Marion’s desire to run +away, but now they know to their cost that we are +somewhat alive.”</p> + +<p>“What about the prisoners we have taken?” +Jared Breen asked, as if fearing it might become +his duty to aid in guarding them, and one of the +troopers near by replied:</p> + +<p>“They have been sent away, lad. You need +have no fear that our commander will hamper himself +with such as they.”</p> + +<p>“Sent away?” I cried with something very near +akin to horror, for at the instant I fancied he might +be telling us they had been sent out of the world in +the same manner the Britishers had disposed of +score upon score of our people.</p> + +<p>“The ‘Swamp Fox’ does not fight that way,” +the trooper replied. “Even though the Britishers +declare we are not soldiers, but only a ‘ragged +regiment’ of planters who hardly know how to +load a musket, we guard our honor as men, and +refrain from murdering prisoners. I can’t say +where the Tories have been sent, but certain it is +from this time out we shall hold all that can be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span> +captured and cared for, instead of letting them go +free to have another blow at us.”</p> + +<p>It was a relief to know we were not to be hampered +with prisoners, and, as a matter of fact, if +we had considered the situation for a moment we +would have understood full well that with such +tactics as the general was employing, it would be +impossible to carry on our swift marches any such +useless and even dangerous lumber.</p> + +<p>I was more concerned in learning who might be +the traitor among us, and what had become of Seth +Hastings, therefore said as much to Gabriel, who +replied in a tone of irritation:</p> + +<p>“I am counting that it will be many a long day +before the first question can be answered, and as to +the second, we need not give overly much care until +such time as we are able to lay hands upon him +once more, for now this last attack has been made +it is of little moment that he tells the enemy where +we were three days ago.”</p> + +<p>“But it is in my mind that we Minute Boys +should give whatsoever attention we may toward +finding him, for until the scoundrel has answered +in some way for the injury he would have done us, +I shall not believe we have performed our duty.”</p> + +<p>“I am more than willing to join in any attempt +which it is possible to make, William Rufus,” the +lad said laughingly, “but it is my opinion that we +have our work cut out for us yet this many a day, +and hunting a traitorous cur will not be a portion +of it.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean?” I asked in surprise<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span> +thinking perhaps he had information from his +brother as to our possible movements.</p> + +<p>“Nothing more than you yourself can see +plainly,” he replied. “The Tories whom we have +driven into the swamp will soon make it known +that the ‘ragged regiment’ has increased in size +until able to give fair battle to an army of five hundred, +and such news having been carried to the +British camp, what think you will be the result?”</p> + +<p>“They will come hotfoot after us, as a matter +of course,” I replied, and it was as if the words +had no more than been uttered when two of our +people came riding into the encampment at full +speed, their horses white with foam, and the riders +urging them on until having come directly in front +of our commander.</p> + +<p>We who saw this had no need to ask questions. +The evidences of hard riding told quite as plainly +as words could, that the enemy was near at hand, +and in such numbers that flight was necessary.</p> + +<p>While they were yet talking with the general I +began saddling my horse, and the remainder of our +company of Minute Boys followed my example, all +of us believing that within a few moments at the +most would the command be given to break camp.</p> + +<p>We lads went even so far as to mount, with our +few belongings strapped to the saddles, and then +came that word which caused me greatest astonishment.</p> + +<p>“Picket the horses in the building,” Captain +Horry shouted, “and see to it that they are tethered +securely.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span>I dismounted like one in a daze, saying to +Gabriel:</p> + +<p>“Can it be possible that we are to fight a pitched +battle?”</p> + +<p>“Surely it has that appearance, lad, and I am +not to be considered a braggart when I say to you +that it gives me much pleasure, even though the +odds may be so strongly against us. We have +turned tail after every successful attack, as if it was +possible only for us to fight when we could surprise +the foe, and it seems to me that a good drubbing, +if we were not wiped entirely out of existence, +would be better than beating so many retreats.”</p> + +<p>The dear lad showed real enthusiasm at this +prospect of making a stand against the enemy, and +while I am by no means willing to own myself a +coward, I must in truth confess that the prospect +was far from pleasing to me.</p> + +<p>The cold chill of fear ran up and down my spine, +and I asked myself whether at the time when courage +was most needed I might not show the white +feather.</p> + +<p>It was the fear of showing that I was afraid, +rather than of meeting the enemy, which caused +me discomfort of mind.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIV<br> + +<small>A QUEER MESSAGE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was fortunate for me that, not being in any +way connected with the command of the Minute +Boys, there was nothing for me to do in the way +of making ready to receive the enemy, otherwise +I might have given evidence of the timorousness +which was in my heart. To have seen Gabriel at +that moment one would have said he had been born +a soldier, for after drawing us up in line just behind +a small shed, he moved here and there swiftly, +taking heed to every fellow’s equipment, and assuring +himself that all were in proper trim for the +work before them.</p> + +<p>My courage came back ever so little when the +dear lad thus showed himself eager for a brush +with the enemy, and I saw that all my comrades +were in good spirits because at last were we to show +our faces to the foe in regular battle. Then came +to my mind the unpleasant question as to how many +redcoats might be advancing upon us, and I said to +myself that if I could know exactly what information +the scouts had brought, then would it be possible +to assume a braver air; but this standing in +line, uncertain whether one hundred or one thousand +were advancing against us, was by no means +pleasant.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span>However, and perhaps fortunately for me, we +were not kept long in suspense. Before the remainder +of General Marion’s following were well +prepared for that which was to come, the thunder +of horses’ hoofs could be heard near at hand, and +by the noise I judged that a large force—perhaps +an entire battalion—was approaching within +range.</p> + +<p>As we afterward learned, this was a portion of +Wemyss’s command, which had been scouring the +country to the northward, and were thus come upon +us through being on their way to rejoin the commander +at Georgetown.</p> + +<p>It was as if we no sooner heard the hoof-beats +than the entire line of red came out from amid the +foliage, the men riding four abreast, and deploying +into line immediately after leaving the shelter of +the trees.</p> + +<p>At the right and at the left of us Minute Boys +were our people drawn up under such cover as +could be had, and therefore it was that we lads +stood in the centre of the line where most like the +hardest part of the fighting would come.</p> + +<p>On understanding this, Gabriel said in a low, +sharp tone as he walked to and fro in front of us, +evidently striving to repress his excitement:</p> + +<p>“Now is the time, lads, when we may show +whether we are worthy to be called soldiers. It is +for us to do a little more than our duty, because as +yet we are untried. Therefore let each look well to +himself, for when this action is come to an end we +shall be counted as able to stand shoulder to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span> +shoulder with our elders, or be pronounced striplings +not worthy to bear arms in the Cause.”</p> + +<p>I know not whether these words gave more heart +to my comrades, but certain it is that at the time +I hardly knew what he said, so intent was I in +gazing upon that crimson stream which continued +to pour out from among the green leaves as if it +would never come to an end. While I was wondering +how many of us would fall at the first volley, +the word to open fire was passed along the line, +and in a twinkling the smoke enveloped us like a +cloud from amid which could be seen tiny jets of +flame as those men, more slow to obey the command +than their comrades, discharged here and +there a musket.</p> + +<p>In less than thirty seconds it was impossible for +us to take aim because we could no longer see the +enemy, and then came that intoxication which I +have ever felt when assailed by fumes of gunpowder.</p> + +<p>It was afterward told me that we did not stand +there in line more than five minutes, but I could +have sworn that at least half an hour passed from +the time the command to fire was given, until the +troopers who were on the left of us rushed forward +from the shelter of the building like a swarm of +angry hornets, the word being passed along the line +for us to cease firing lest we shoot our own friends.</p> + +<p>More than one of our company of Minute Boys +would have broken line in order to follow those +who were charging upon the enemy, but Gabriel +held them in place by saying:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span>“Stand firmly, lads; it is your duty to await the +word of command. We were ordered to take position +here, and here we shall remain until different +commands are given.”</p> + +<p>It surprised me to find all of our little company +yet unhurt. I heard the whistle of bullets above +my head, and could see here and there upon the +shed behind us white spots which told where the +missiles had splintered the wood, therefore had felt +certain our loss must have been considerable.</p> + +<p>“The Britishers don’t know how to take aim,” +Archie Gordon cried in a tone of triumph as he +gazed to the right and to the left without seeing any +person who appeared to be wounded. “Look yonder, +and you will learn the difference between our +way of fighting and theirs!” He pointed to where +our people were already overrunning the enemy’s +line, and here and there red blotches on the ground +told where the redcoats lay dead or wounded.</p> + +<p>We saw among them so many that it seemed as +if we must have brought down a full quarter of +their number, and again went up a ringing cheer of +triumph, for already half of the general’s force was +driving the enemy before them, and that enemy +supposed to be well-disciplined, seasoned soldiers +who had fought on many a field.</p> + +<p>Again had General Marion’s “ragged regiment” +whipped the redcoats in so short a time as would +seem, to one not on the field, almost incredible.</p> + +<p>Were it not that those men who make a trade +of writing history have described each of these engagements +of ours, giving us of South Carolina<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span> +even more credit than I have dared to set down +here, I should fear that he who may read these lines +at some time in the future, might accuse me of trying +to draw the long bow. In all these encounters +we had met British soldiers who were thoroughly +well-trained in the art of warfare—if indeed the +killing of people be an art—and yet had driven +them before us when more than once they numbered +ten times our strength. Therefore am I prompted +to give my explanation of how this was brought +about:</p> + +<p>Let it be understood that I do not set myself up +as an authority in such matters, being as yet called +a boy, for in years I have not arrived at man’s estate, +but one who has taken part in this struggle +for liberty may be allowed an opinion as to why the +“ragged regiment” were able to thus best the +enemy. Both Tarleton and Wemyss, when pursuing +General Marion, had enlisted as many Tories +as could be persuaded to join them; these same +renegades, being even greener at the work than we, +and not animated by a love of country and home, +as were our people, were the first to turn tail when +the bullets came thickly. It is said by those who +know, that there is nothing so contagious as the +panic of fear, and I am allowing that these Tories +spread that contagion in every engagement we +fought.</p> + +<p>Then again, and it really begins to seem as if I +were making some apology for the British, the +king’s troops were accustomed to fight only in line +of battle. Therefore when we sought cover, following<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span> +the example of the Indians, they, not accustomed +to standing before an unseen enemy, grew +cowardly at being shot down when no person was +in sight.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was needless for me to set down all +these words, but as I think of the many times we +met the foe and vanquished him, when by all the +rules of war our people should have been wiped out +entirely, I have the fear that whosoever reads what +I have written will set me down as a braggart, even +though proof of my statement may be had by referring +to what wise men have said concerning the +matter.</p> + +<p>When those of our people who stood on the left +of the Minute Boys’ line had disappeared in pursuit +of the fleeing foe, there were left in the encampment +a hundred or more men in addition to our +company. One of these, who claimed to have the +rank of captain, but I know not with what right, +took command, ordering us lads to march around +to the other side of the building in order that we +might act as sentinels against a possible attack +from the southward.</p> + +<p>It was not for us to question any one’s authority +at such a time, for we knew full well that some such +service was needed, but it went sadly against the +grain, for even I had become eager to fight now +that the first flush of fear had passed away.</p> + +<p>During the hour which followed each of us paced +to and fro on such beats as had been assigned by +Gabriel, hearing nothing, seeing nothing to betoken +a struggle between the enemy, although we knew<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span> +full well that somewhere in the distance, and not +very far away, our people were striving to kill, or +struggling to prevent others from killing them.</p> + +<p>Then, squad by squad, those who had gone in +pursuit returned looking victorious, but the most +ominous thing to me, in this victory, was the fact +that they brought with them no prisoners.</p> + +<p>When General Marion and Captain Horry, who +were among the last in returning, as they had been +the first in pursuing the redcoats, came up, they +called about them a dozen or more of the men, and +while we lads, in obedience to orders, brought out +the horses from where they had been picketed in the +dwelling, this little group held a council of war.</p> + +<p>At the end of another hour orders were given for +us to mount, and we rode slowly away, covering, +mayhap, a distance of six miles, when we found +ourselves at the plantation of Henry Davis.</p> + +<p>Here word was given to make camp once more, +and at the same time it was intimated that we +would not be allowed to remain idle save until the +following morning.</p> + +<p>We Minute Boys, after having cared for the +horses, threw ourselves down on the ground in a +group, as was our custom, each fellow looking +gloomy and disappointed. No one seemed disposed +to start a conversation, and all remained silent +while around us the men were making merry over +this last victory, which was counted to be greater +than any other, because we had met the redcoats in +fair fight when they, not we, were the attacking +party.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span>It was while we were lying there in apparent despondency +that an elderly man, by the name of +Paul Sawyer, who could ride a horse with firmer +seat, and fire a musket with truer aim than many of +the younger men, came up, looking at us for a +moment in surprise, after which he said with a +laugh, as if he saw in us something comical:</p> + +<p>“Is this a party of mutes getting ready for a +funeral?”</p> + +<p>No one made reply, and after surveying us again +for what seemed to me a long while, he asked +cheerily:</p> + +<p>“Why are you lads so down in the dumps? Is +it possible that the escape of Seth Hastings, disquieting +though it may be, can cover your faces +with gloom when you should be joining yonder men +who have given themselves over to rejoicing?”</p> + +<p>“Those who are making merry have a right to +do so, for they have done good work this day,” +Gabriel replied moodily. “We are ready to give +them all praise, but at the same time it is not in the +hearts of lads, or men for that matter, to be cheery +under disappointment like ours, for we may ride +many a day without having another such opportunity.”</p> + +<p>“What mean you, lad?” Master Sawyer asked +in perplexity. “What opportunity have the others +had that you did not share?”</p> + +<p>“That of showing what we might do in such an +engagement as has just passed,” Gabriel replied. +“After it was known we were to stand for the +first time face to face with the redcoats, we believed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span> +the moment had come when we might show to our +elders that we were worthy to march with them.”</p> + +<p>“Well, have you not shown it, lad?”</p> + +<p>“How could we, sir? Our place in line was +where we had every reason to expect hot work, and +yet the men on our left bore all the brunt. We +simply remained there, not being allowed to take +part in the chase, and at a time when we might +have struck a blow, were set to doing sentry duty.”</p> + +<p>“So you think the Minute Boys have not had +a chance to prove whether it be in them to make +soldiers, eh?” Master Sawyer said with a quizzical +expression on his face, and having thus spoken, he +wheeled sharply around, walking straight toward +Master Davis’s dwelling.</p> + +<p>Archie Gordon said, as the old man strode away +with a bearing of strength and agility that a +younger might have envied:</p> + +<p>“If I could ride as he does, and keep from my +face all show of fear as he is able to do, then would +I force the members of this ‘ragged regiment’ to +call me comrade!”</p> + +<p>“We must earn that right!” Jared Green cried +quickly, “and we will do so, else am I much mistaken, +for, unfortunately, yet many a weary day +must pass before we can say that the invaders have +been driven from the soil of the Carolinas.”</p> + +<p>Then we fell to talking of what it might yet be +possible for us Minute Boys to do, growing more +cheerful each moment, until General Marion and +Captain Horry came up, halting directly in front of +us.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span>“It is no more than right that I should praise +you for what has been done this day,” the commander +said abruptly. “You showed the best of +soldierly qualities by remaining at the post assigned, +instead of joining in the chase, which I +know must have been a great temptation to disobedience, +and, in addition, gave good proof that +we can count on you as upon any others in the +force. More than once during the little action did +I observe you carefully, and it made my heart warm +to see you stand up before that fire like well-seasoned +soldiers.”</p> + +<p>“We are not deserving such praise, sir,” I ventured +to interrupt, “and I much fear you have been +led to speak these kindly words by Master Sawyer, +who was pleased to make sport of us because we +were looking mournful at having lost an opportunity +to prove ourselves.”</p> + +<p>“In much of that you are right, lad. It was +Master Sawyer called my attention to the fact that +the Minute Boys were bewailing what they were +pleased to call their ill-fortune, but before he spoke +Captain Horry and myself had commented in warm +terms upon your bearing under fire, and it was my +purpose to repeat later what I have just said. +Therefore Master Sawyer had no other hand in it +than to hasten the time. Nor are we two alone in +believing that you behaved yourselves in goodly +fashion, for I have heard more than one of the +troopers give you full meed of praise. Keep on as +you have begun, and I shall feel proud of having +such lads under my command.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span>With these words the general turned away, leaving +us staring at each other like stupids, hardly +knowing whether to laugh or frown. We could +not disbelieve him, yet it seemed impossible we had +fairly won any such commendation.</p> + +<p>“It seems as if we have very little idea of what +the Minute Boys have done,” Archie said laughingly. +“Who shall say but that one day we will +find ourselves famous throughout all the Colonies +without having been aware of doing anything out +of the ordinary.”</p> + +<p>Gabriel’s face was actually radiant with joy because +of what his brother had said, and I fancied +he was on the point of giving words to that which +was in his mind, when a young girl, perhaps no +more than fourteen years old, appeared suddenly +from around the corner of the dwelling, coming +directly toward where we lay.</p> + +<p>It was not so rare to see girls or women about +a plantation as to have excited any comment from +us, but there was that in her bearing which spoke +of something important. Without being able to +explain why, every lad of our company believed +she was seeking the Minute Boys.</p> + +<p>Nor in this were we mistaken, for, advancing +swiftly until standing within a few paces of our +leader, she asked:</p> + +<p>“Is there one among you lads by the name of +Gabriel Marion?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, and that is me,” Gabriel replied, taking off +his hat with a bow such as the gouty king could not +have equalled.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_p264a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p264a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">“‘ARE YOU MASTER DAVIS’S DAUGHTER?’”</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>“Then I am to say that if you would lay hands +upon the lad who escaped you at Black Mingo +Swamp you shall go this night, as soon as may +be, four miles up the road, where is the dwelling +and forge of Reuben Rowe.”</p> + +<p>“How know you all that?” Gabriel asked, +and now he spoke sharply, forgetting his courtly +flourishes.</p> + +<p>“Word was brought by one of Master Rowe’s +negroes to my mother, and she sent me here with +the message.”</p> + +<p>“Are you Master Davis’s daughter?” Gabriel +asked, still speaking severely, and then, remembering +that he was talking to a girl, added in a +tone of apology as she replied in the affirmative:</p> + +<p>“You must remember that it is a strange message +you bring, and at such times as these one in +the Carolinas fears lest a trap may be set for +him.”</p> + +<p>“Surely you cannot believe that my mother or +I would set a trap for lads who, so it is said, have +fought as well as men this day,” the girl said, and +like the silly that I was, I flushed with pleasure because +of her praise.</p> + +<p>“Not so, nor would I mistrust any of Master +Davis’s family, but it seems strange, without questioning +the part you or your mother are playing, +that word should be sent us regarding a traitor, +when, with no more labor, if peradventure Seth +Hastings is prisoner, he might be brought here to +the plantation.”</p> + +<p>“To that I can make no answer,” she replied<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span> +with a smile. “The negro returned at once, having +delivered the message to my mother.”</p> + +<p>Gabriel was silent for a moment, and then he +asked, with less of severity in his tone:</p> + +<p>“Tell me who is this Master Rowe?”</p> + +<p>“The smith who lives four miles up the road, +as I have said.”</p> + +<p>“But I mean, how is he disposed toward us who +oppose the king?”</p> + +<p>“I have heard it said that he declares this fight +is none of his making. He is ready to work at his +forge for one side or the other, having no concern +in what he calls ‘the quarrel.’ My father neither +trusts nor mistrusts him, and more than that I +cannot tell you.”</p> + +<p>Then Gabriel thanked her for having brought +the message, and she, after making one courtesy +which seemed to include all us lads, went back to +the house as rapidly as she had come.</p> + +<p>It can readily be imagined that our tongues were +unloosened immediately she was gone, for verily +it was an odd message that had been brought. We +argued the matter over and over without arriving +at any conclusion, but keeping all the while before +us certain questions which we would have answered +before setting out on what might be a most disastrous +journey.</p> + +<p>Who had sent the messenger? Was it the smith? +If so, how did he reconcile the assertion that he had +no concern with one side or the other? Then again, +if his leaning was toward us who were fighting +against the king, how did he come to know that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span> +Seth Hastings was a traitor, or that we Minute +Boys were most eager to lay hands upon him?</p> + +<p>With all our tongue-wagging we could find no +answer to these questions, and we sat there perplexed, +feeling that perhaps we might get our hands +upon the young scoundrel if we obeyed the summons, +and yet halting lest we prove ourselves simples +by falling into what looked to be a trap.</p> + +<p>I question if we could have settled the matter +ourselves even though discussing it four and twenty +hours, but when we were most sorely perplexed, +wavering as to whether we should go or stay, a +happy thought came to Gabriel, and he gave it +words by saying:</p> + +<p>“I am not of the mind to believe, without better +proof, that any one in this Tory-ridden section of +the Carolinas would try to do us such a favor, even +though he knew Seth Hastings and what he had +done. Now, because by remaining here idle we +may lose an opportunity so greatly desired, or by +going fall into a trap, I propose that we lay the +matter before Master Paul Sawyer, who should be +a good judge, and follow his decision.”</p> + +<p>To this we were already agreed without argument, +not only because we had faith in Master Sawyer, +but in order that one of our elders might settle +the question, thereby taking from us some of the +blame in case we ventured into a hole from which +we could not retreat.</p> + +<p>To the end that no talk might be made which +was not heard by all the company, Gabriel proposed +that Jared Green should go in search of Master<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span> +Sawyer, asking him to join us for a moment, and +without explaining the reason.</p> + +<p>This was done. In less than five minutes the +gentleman stood before us, still wearing the same +quizzical expression as when he railed at us for +being like mutes at a funeral.</p> + +<p>Without using more words than was necessary, +Gabriel explained what we would have him judge +upon, simply saying that Master Davis’s daughter +had brought us the message, and repeating what +she had told concerning this smith near whose forge +we were to find, perhaps, the lad we sought.</p> + +<p>Master Sawyer turned it over and over in his +mind until I began to think he would never make +reply, so impatient was I lest we should, by remaining +idle many moments longer, lose the chance of +paying off that score to which Seth Hastings was +adding every hour.</p> + +<p>“It is an odd business, lads, look at it as you +may,” Master Sawyer said finally, and much to my +relief. “It has in it the look of a trap, and at the +same time there are chances that some one well disposed +toward the Cause, knowing how much mischief +that young viper would have wrought, may +be trying to do a good turn.”</p> + +<p>“But I question if there be any hereabout who +know what Seth has done.”</p> + +<p>“And well you may, but at the same time is it +impossible?” Master Sawyer asked thoughtfully. +“Whether it be a trap or fair dealing, there is +chance in it for adventure such as one would grieve +to miss. You Minute Boys are seventeen strong,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span> +if I have heard aright—seventeen who have +proven yourselves men—and with a smaller squad +than that I dare venture to say Francis Marion +would set himself against two score redcoats. +Now, as the matter appears to me, there is no +chance that number of Britishers can be in the +vicinity, therefore whence comes the danger of answering +the summons, if so be you keep your eyes +opened and your wits sharpened?”</p> + +<p>“Meaning that you would advise us to go, sir?” +Gabriel said, and the old man replied, his eyes +twinkling as if in anticipation of a brush with the +enemy:</p> + +<p>“If so be you are minded to hold your own +against twice the number of your force, then go, +and I beg of you take one recruit who asks for +nothing better than an opportunity to learn who we +have hereabouts that would do us such a favor—for +a favor to you lads is one to all this company.”</p> + +<p>“And you would go with us?” Archie cried +incredulously.</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, and thank you for the privilege, obeying +all the commands of your leader even as you +should obey them.”</p> + +<p>“There is nothing more, then, to be said,” and +Gabriel sprang toward where the horses were +tethered as if he would make ready for the journey +at once, but Master Sawyer stopped him by saying +gravely:</p> + +<p>“Do not forget, lad, that you have first to gain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span> +permission. He who is a soldier must not adventure +on his own business at will.”</p> + +<p>“I will speak with the general at once,” Gabriel +said as he ran swiftly away, and Jared Green asked +anxiously of Master Sawyer:</p> + +<p>“Think you there will be any question as to our +going, sir?”</p> + +<p>“Not if I know Francis Marion as well as I +have believed. He will consent readily, and at the +same time grieve that, because of his position, he +may not form one of the party.”</p> + +<p>That Master Sawyer was not mistaken in at least +a portion of his statement, we understood when +Gabriel returned in all haste as if eager to set off, +and while he was saddling his horse I asked:</p> + +<p>“What did the general say?”</p> + +<p>“That we had his consent since Master Sawyer +was so kind as to go with us. He wanted it understood +that he did not question our ability to take +care of ourselves, but was doubtful as to our judgment +if we found ourselves in close quarters. At +first he would have it that we take a squad of +troopers, but I insisted this was the business of none +save the Minute Boys, and we would be ashamed to +have it said in camp that we dare not go out in +search of one who had done us wrong, save with +an escort.”</p> + +<p>“Well spoken, lad,” Master Sawyer cried. +“Now while your command is making ready I will +look after my horse, and we will meet in front of +the house yonder that all may know our purpose. +If so be there is a traitor on this plantation, then<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span> +shall he have good opportunity to send word ahead +to prepare the ambush.”</p> + +<p>This was spoken as if in jest, and yet I fancied +there was more of seriousness in the words than +he would have us believe, for I was convinced that +such a man as Master Sawyer, who had proven his +mettle time and again, would not be like to set out +with a party of lads unless he believed there might +be hot work ahead.</p> + +<p>Seeing us saddling, those of the troopers lounging +near by asked the reason, and when we told +them, making no concealment of what had been +heard, more than one shook his head sagely, as if +to say that it would be useless to expect other than +folly from a party of boys. All showed by their +bearing that they had little faith Seth Hastings was +awaiting us, unless peradventure he might be at the +rendezvous with sufficient of redcoats to prove our +undoing.</p> + +<p>Now we were committed to the adventure there +was no show of fear in our faces, however timorous +we may have been at heart, for it would have +been a hundred times worse to admit that our courage +failed at the very outset, than to fall into the +cruellest trap ever laid.</p> + +<p>Master Sawyer did not delay us. We found him +in the saddle at the door of the dwelling, and on +the veranda sat General Marion and Captain Horry, +the commander saying as we rode up:</p> + +<p>“It is no sign of cowardice to reconnoitre well +before you go into a place from which retreat may +be impossible. Make certain of the ground before<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span> +advancing, even though such precaution causes you +to ride slowly, and remember that there are occasions +when one may be brave and at the same time +flee from an overwhelming force. Do not take too +many chances, and if it so be this is a trap set for +your harm, punish severely those who baited it. +In case the entire company cannot report at midnight, +send, if possible, a messenger to acquaint me +of your safety, otherwise I shall order a squad out +for your relief.”</p> + +<p>Then the general saluted, we returned it, and +then giving spurs to our horses, rode swiftly down +the lane leading to the road.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XV<br> + +<small>ROWE’S SMITHY</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> we were come to the highway Master +Sawyer reined in his horse that he might ride in +the rear of the company, whereupon Gabriel, who +was in the lead, called to him:</p> + +<p>“Why should you not ride with me, Master Sawyer, +instead of tailing on alone?”</p> + +<p>“Because I am not going out as a member of +your company, but simply as one who has a fancy +for a bit of adventure.”</p> + +<p>I could understand, and so evidently did Gabriel, +that he would not take position in the line where +it might seem as if he was sharing in the leadership, +or was eager to give advice, but we knew +right well that if we came to close quarters with +an enemy, he would be in the front without waiting +for an invitation.</p> + +<p>Gabriel insisted that it was a guest’s right to ride +with the leader, and Master Sawyer laughingly +spurred his horse forward, saying as he came up:</p> + +<p>“When I am with lads who in the midst of victory +can mourn because they had no better opportunity +to display their courage than by standing fast +in line as soldiers should, then am I careful not to +do that which might detract in any way from whatsoever +of success may come to them.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span>“But we are looking upon you in the light of an +adviser,” I cried, and it must be remembered that +among us Minute Boys there was little of that military +discipline and strait-lacedness which the king’s +officers thought necessary to maintain.</p> + +<p>“There is a question in my mind, lad, whether +my advice would be any better than Master +Marion’s judgment, for I have both heard and seen +him prove himself well able to command even a +much larger company.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that Gabriel asked, speaking purposely +loud so all in the line might hear him:</p> + +<p>“Is it in your mind, Master Sawyer, that we +should ride boldly up the road until arriving at +Rowe’s smithy, or had we better reconnoitre, as +the general seemed to suggest?”</p> + +<p>“First let me hear your opinion?” the gentleman +said, as if speaking to one whom he considered +an equal.</p> + +<p>“It appears to me,” Gabriel replied after a brief +hesitation, “that we would be in no more danger, +if peradventure danger menaces, by riding boldly +on. In case that message be the bait of a trap, then +would those who are evilly disposed toward us be +on their guard against whatsoever reconnoitring +we might do.”</p> + +<p>“Yours is much my way of thinking, lad; but I +would say that while we go as if there was no suspicion +in our minds, we be constantly prepared for +a surprise, and then if anything serious should +come up, the company would not be taken at any +great disadvantage.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span>There was little need for a suggestion like this. +I dare venture to say every member of the party +felt much as I did, that at any moment we might +be confronted by a superior force, and instead of +swinging our muskets across our shoulders, as was +the usual method while on the march, we carried +the weapons resting on one arm, thus having but +a single hand for the bridle-rein.</p> + +<p>We rode at a moderate pace such as should have +brought us to the smithy in forty minutes or more, +and I am minded to sound the praises of my comrades +by saying confidently, that if a stranger had +seen us then he would have had no grounds for +believing we were expecting an attack. Although +not for any ordinary amount of wealth would I +have allowed myself to be left behind, it surely +seemed as if we had no warrant for taking the +risks—as if the capture of Seth Hastings was +hardly so important that we should endanger our +liberty, if not our lives, by trying to make him +prisoner again.</p> + +<p>However, we were on the road to the smithy; +the question had been settled without my having +raised a voice in protest, yet I felt as fully committed +to it as if to me alone had been left the +decision.</p> + +<p>Once during the short journey we halted that +the horses might drink from a brook which crossed +the road, and then on again until we were come to +a forge, so small that when the smith would shoe +a horse the animal must perforce remain outside the +building. Nearby, perhaps fifty yards away, was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span> +a dwelling built of logs, with a long shed behind +it evidently intended as a stable for horses and +cattle.</p> + +<p>No person was to be seen; the door of the +smithy, a rude affair made of splints and hanging +by one hinge, was nearly closed, and this in itself, +to us who were suspicious, seemed strange, for the +day was warm, and a man working at the forge +would have been in need of all the fresh air he +could get. Some one near me said, in a tone half +of doubt, half of anger:</p> + +<p>“The place is abandoned! How could Master +Rowe have sent a messenger?”</p> + +<p>Just then we heard the clinking sound of metal +struck against metal, and Gabriel would have dismounted +to open the door had not Master Sawyer +clutched him by the arm, as he said quickly:</p> + +<p>“Remain in your saddle, lad! It is the safer +course, for he who dismounts must turn his back +upon the enemy to regain his footing in the stirrups.” +Then, raising his voice, he cried, “Ho, in +the smithy! We would speak with you, good +Master Rowe!”</p> + +<p>The hail was not answered immediately, and it +seemed to me that Master Sawyer was on the point +of crying again, when the door was pulled inward +a few inches as the heavily bearded face of a man +peered out.</p> + +<p>Gabriel waited an instant, fancying Master Sawyer +was minded to conduct the conversation, but +since the gentleman sat silent, our leader asked in +an unnecessarily loud voice:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span>“Is this Master Reuben Rowe?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, and what may you be wanting of me? A +shoe for a horse?”</p> + +<p>“We call ourselves the Minute Boys of South +Carolina,” Gabriel replied, as if believing this would +be the only information needed to announce the +purpose of our coming, and the man stared at him +as if not understanding.</p> + +<p>Gabriel repeated the words, and after waiting +while one might have counted ten, the man asked, +with a stupidity which I believed was feigned:</p> + +<p>“Is that all you have to tell me?”</p> + +<p>“You sent one of your negroes to the Davis +plantation with a message for the Minute Boys,” +Gabriel said, and I noted that he shifted his musket +ever so slightly so he might be able to raise it to +his shoulder on the instant.</p> + +<p>“I sent no negro, and for the very good reason +that I have none.”</p> + +<p>“But Mistress Davis’s daughter told us it was +your man who brought the word.”</p> + +<p>“Then Mistress Davis’s daughter will have to +guess again,” the smith replied in a mocking tone. +“There has been an old negro whom nobody seems +to own, living near by here for the past year, and +now and then I have hired him to do some bit of +work for me.”</p> + +<p>“Then you did not send him to the Davis plantation +to-day?” and now Gabriel spoke sharply, +whereupon the man replied in an equally curt tone:</p> + +<p>“I have not seen the old rascal for a week or +more.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span>We lads looked at each other in genuine alarm, +for now did it seem positive a trap had been set, +and the wonder was that those who were eager to +do us a mischief did not begin their work.</p> + +<p>It was when the silence had lasted a full minute, +and none of us seemed inclined to break it, that +Master Sawyer took upon himself the task of +gathering information, if there was any to be had +in that quarter.</p> + +<p>“You are Master Reuben Rowe, and owner of +this smithy?”</p> + +<p>“I am, sir,” the man replied, speaking more +deferentially now, for mayhap he knew that the +man addressing him was not one to be trifled with.</p> + +<p>“You say you sent no message, yet one was +received which purported to have come from here. +Have you seen any person in this vicinity who +might have hired the negro to go to the Davis +plantation?”</p> + +<p>“With the exception of a neighbor who lives +two miles farther up the road, and who came here +shortly after sunrise to have a hoe mended, I have +seen no one.”</p> + +<p>“Where does this negro, of whom you speak, +live? He must have a shack of some kind in +which to sleep.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that he has, and cultivates a bit of land, +raising mayhap as much as will keep him from one +year’s end to another. His place is three miles or +more down on the edge of the swamp.”</p> + +<p>“In what direction?”</p> + +<p>“Yonder path leads to it.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span>Now the smith came out of the building that he +might point to a faint trail running through a +grove at right angles to the course we had been +pursuing.</p> + +<p>Master Sawyer noted the direction, and said, as +if thinking aloud:</p> + +<p>“Then in order for the negro to go to the Davis +plantation, he must come by this forge?”</p> + +<p>“Unless he took a short cut through the woods +in order to save considerable distance. Certain it +is he can leave his shack without coming this way, +for I have known three or four weeks to go by +without his showing himself, but yet have heard of +him at one place or another along the road.”</p> + +<p>It was evident he would gain no more information +from Master Rowe. He plainly showed he +had told us all he could, or all he intended to, and +if he spoke the truth the riddle was to be read only +by our following the trail until we came upon the +negro who had acted as messenger. This, as it +seemed to me, would be a most unwise thing to do, +for it required that we should ride amid the underbrush, +where, if an ambush had been laid, we could +not well avoid it.</p> + +<p>Gabriel made one more attempt at coming upon +a solution of the puzzle, by asking:</p> + +<p>“Do you know a lad by the name of Seth Hastings?”</p> + +<p>Master Rowe shook his head.</p> + +<p>“Have you heard that there was a prisoner hereabout +to be delivered to those who are defending +this State?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span>“I have heard nothing whatsoever about prisoners +or Tories, nor would I listen if any were +inclined to tell the tale. I am a man of peace, and +do not count on meddling with the affairs either +of the king or the rebels.”</p> + +<p>The fact that he had used the word “rebels,” +when speaking of us, caused me to believe the +fellow was inclined to be a Tory even though he +might not take open part with one side or the other, +and straightway was I more suspicious of him than +ever.</p> + +<p>“He who stands ’twixt two parties, trying to side +with neither, is either a fool or a knave,” Master +Sawyer cried threateningly. “You remain here, +counting to be undisturbed because of not taking +part in the war, and yet are unwilling to raise a +hand for or against the State which gives you living +room. Although I have no great love for +Tories, they are men as compared with those who +strive to take a living from the land without contributing +in any way toward the general good.”</p> + +<p>Master Rowe stepped back a pace, his hands +clenched, and I thought of a verity that he was +about to make an attack upon our outspoken companion, +who shifted ever so slightly in the saddle +as if to defend himself against a blow.</p> + +<p>The smith evidently thought better of his first +intent, if indeed it was what I suspected, and tried +in vain to curb his anger as he replied:</p> + +<p>“It has ever been given to the people of the +Carolinas to believe as they chose, and I choose +to believe that he who stands aloof from both sides<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span> +at such a time is the better citizen. Nor does it +become you, Master Paul Sawyer, whose hand has +been in every brawl since this uprising against the +king was first begun, to revile a man who strives to +live honestly.”</p> + +<p>Now it was Master Sawyer’s turn to be angry, +and mine to be surprised, for until this moment I +had no idea the smith recognized any member of +our company, and because he did so were my suspicions +increased.</p> + +<p>Master Sawyer remained silent a full half-minute, +and then, leaning over in the saddle as if to invite +a blow, he said, speaking slowly and distinctly:</p> + +<p>“Hark ye, Master Smith, if you know me by +name, you are also well aware that I keep my word +to the letter howsoever many brawls I may have a +hand in, and this I am telling you to the end that +it may be guarded against, if you feel so disposed. +A messenger was sent to the Davis plantation much +the same as in your name, and in another four and +twenty hours I shall know whether you have just +told us the truth or not. If so be you are trying to +deceive us in order that harm may be worked to +those who are fighting for the Cause, then as true +as I am Paul Sawyer, so true will I take your life +as forfeit for treachery!”</p> + +<p>Master Rowe quailed before these passionately +uttered words, and I fancied that on his cheeks +came something very like a spot of red, but whether +of fear or of anger I would not attempt to guess. +Then, without a word, he turned abruptly and entered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span> +the forge, closing the door behind him with +no little violence.</p> + +<p>“Well, what do you make of it, sir?” Gabriel +asked a few seconds after the man had disappeared.</p> + +<p>“It is a trap which has been set for you, lad; +of that there can be no question. Now you have +my answer, and I am asking what you propose to +do? Do not speak now; there is no reason why +we should hold this conversation where perchance +an enemy stands ready to repeat it,” Master Sawyer +said quickly, as he laid his hand on Gabriel’s +arm when the latter was about to make reply.</p> + +<p>Then he pulled his horse sharply around, riding +back over the road we had just come, all of us +Minute Boys following his example.</p> + +<p>When we were a quarter of a mile or more from +the forge Master Sawyer reined in his steed, and +our company of Minute Boys came to a halt, taking +position in a circle so we might hear all that +was said.</p> + +<p>“Now I ask for your answer, lad. What are +you minded to do?”</p> + +<p>“It is for my comrades to have a voice in this matter, +sir,” Gabriel replied, “and the question shall +be left to them. As for my part, I am minded to +learn where the trap is, that we may know who set +it, believing that when such information has been +gained we will stand mighty near Seth Hastings, +for there can be no other around here who knows +how eager we are to come up with him.”</p> + +<p>Although I was, as has already been said, opposed +to this adventure, it would have shamed me<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span> +had Gabriel made other reply, and on the instant I +cried:</p> + +<p>“I am with you, lad, wherever you choose to +go!”</p> + +<p>I had not yet spoken these words before all the +members of our company were demanding that +they have an opportunity of learning what we were +eager to know.</p> + +<p>“You are lads of spirit,” Master Sawyer said +heartily. “I would I were young again, if for no +other reason than that I might ask to join this +force, because now is the time when much adventure +may be had, and with such a party, even +though it be small, he who craves for a venturesome +life will not be mistaken.”</p> + +<p>“You surely are one of us this afternoon, sir, +and much better fitted to say how we may ferret +out the plot with the least danger to ourselves.”</p> + +<p>Before Master Sawyer could make reply, I interrupted, +fearing lest we forget the promise which +had been much the same as made:</p> + +<p>“Remember, Gabriel, that a messenger was to +be sent back to the general, if we could not return +before midnight, and since this matter may require +some considerable time, I propose that he be made +acquainted with what little we have already +learned.”</p> + +<p>The dear lad agreed with me promptly, and then +came the question of who would act the part of +messenger. None of the lads were like to turn +their backs willingly at such a time, therefore were +several minutes spent in drawing lots, and Jared<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span> +Green was the one finally chosen. I pitied him because +of the disappointment written on his face, +knowing how I should have felt under the same circumstances, +but was not generous enough to offer +an exchange of places with him.</p> + +<p>“You may repeat all that which we have heard, +and say it is our intention to learn more regarding +this thing before returning; but beg of my brother +that he do not send any of the troopers here because +of thinking the danger may be too great. +This is a matter belonging to the Minute Boys entirely, +and we should be allowed to work it out +ourselves, with the aid of Master Sawyer.”</p> + +<p>“You will be working it out entirely alone, lad, +for I count myself as one of the company, and +under your command,” Master Sawyer said +quickly, and then Jared, with a glance of both sorrow +and envy at our little company, rode away.</p> + +<p>“Now that we are ready for business, lad, I +have a proposition to make,” Master Sawyer said, +speaking hurriedly as if believing that time pressed. +“The smith may not have told us all the truth to-day, +and I dare venture to say he did not, but still +am allowing there was somewhat in his talk which +we may believe. He said the old negro could leave +his shack in the thicket without coming past the +forge. Now if that be the case, then shall we find +the trail on this left-hand side of the road. Therefore +do I suggest that we ride slowly along, and +when we come to anything which looks like a path, +follow it, to the end that we may come upon those<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span> +who are waiting for us in the rear, thus gaining +no slight advantage.”</p> + +<p>There could have been no objection made to this +proposition, for it smacked of sound common sense, +although some of our party doubted if Master +Rowe had mingled any truth in that tale of his—questioning +whether the messenger which went to +the Davis plantation had not gone directly from +the forge; but Master Sawyer disputed that belief +by saying:</p> + +<p>“If there had been enemies waiting in the vicinity +of the forge, we should have been fired upon +when we turned as if to go back to the plantation.”</p> + +<p>Then we rode along at a foot-pace, watching narrowly +the left side of the road, and I confess to +considerable surprise when, after having travelled +perhaps a mile, we came upon a trail which struck +off from the highway at an angle such as would +apparently bring us to the negro’s hut, if Master +Rowe had given correct information regarding +it.</p> + +<p>“Are we to ride through here, sir, or walk?” +Gabriel asked, and Master Sawyer, after a moment’s +thought replied:</p> + +<p>“To my mind we had best remain in the saddle. +Were I in command of this company, I would dismount +three lads, instructing them to tether their +horses at such distance from the road that the +animals could not betray their whereabouts in case +the enemy passed near at hand. Then have them +go on as scouts considerably in advance of the +force. If, as I believe will be the case, they come<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span> +upon signs of the enemy, the footmen are to fall +back to the rear, leaving us who are mounted to +begin the fight, for I’m counting that you intend +to come to close quarters if redcoat or Tory is +found?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that we are, sir,” Archie Gordon said +eagerly, and he added in a lower tone to Gabriel, +“If you love me, lad, do not put me among those +who are to dismount, lest I should miss the chance +of coming upon the traitorous cur before he be +killed!”</p> + +<p>Gabriel looked quickly around to see that none +save I had heard this request, and then he made +what I believed a good selection of the scouts by +naming the two Marshall boys and Jacob Breen. +We knew by experience what the Marshall boys +could do, and were safe in entrusting them with +a most important portion of the adventure, for in +fact everything depended upon those who went +ahead.</p> + +<p>We rode into the woods nearly a mile before the +scouts dismounted, and then halted that they might +be able to gain an advance of perhaps a hundred +yards.</p> + +<p>When it seemed probable they were that distance +ahead of us, we moved forward in single file, +Gabriel leading, Master Sawyer and I following, +while the others trailed on behind.</p> + +<p>The horses made little or no noise as we rode on +at a foot-pace, for the mosses and leaves deadened +all sound, and if this trail led us to where we believed +it would, then those who had counted on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span> +giving us a surprise would find that the tables had +been turned.</p> + +<p>It was a weird, ghostly march, for by this time +the sun was near to setting, and amid the foliage +it was as if night had already come. No lad dared +to speak lest he might give an alarm to the enemy, +and I absolutely found myself at times trying to +hold my breath that the thumping of my heart +might be stilled, for it beat like a trip-hammer, as +it seemed to me. To this nervous expectancy was +added the fear that we might be attacked at any +instant.</p> + +<p>The horses, jaded with much travelling, moved +forward with hanging heads at a snail’s pace; +slowly the minutes went by until the darkness enveloped +us, and we were forced to trust to the instinct +of the animals for keeping the path. I was +near to crying aloud in fear, thus proving myself +the veriest coward, when amid the blackness of the +night I saw a yet darker figure moving swiftly +toward me. My horse’s bridle was seized, and I +drew a long breath of relief as a familiar voice +whispered:</p> + +<p>“It is time to halt, for we have found our enemy.”</p> + +<p>It was one of the Marshall lads, who had come +through the foliage almost at right angles with the +course we were pursuing, and had failed to reach +the leader, therefore I whispered hoarsely to Master +Sawyer that the scouts were come in.</p> + +<p>“There are ten or fifteen men at the negro’s +shack, which is less than half a mile to the left—you +must have passed the trail which leads to it,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span> +Joseph Marshall whispered when we had gathered +around him as closely as the growth of trees would +permit. “They have been questioning among +themselves as to whether we will come, for I crept +so near as to be able to hear a portion of the conversation.”</p> + +<p>“What sort of men are they?” Master Sawyer +asked. “Soldiers, Tories, or lads?”</p> + +<p>“There are three who wear red coats, much torn, +and I fancy they were among those who were in +such haste to get away from us in the last action. +Such of the others as I could see had the look of +Tories; and all are supplied with weapons.”</p> + +<p>“And Seth Hastings?” Archie asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>“Ay, he is there, and on such good terms with +the three redcoats that I can well believe he was +their companion in the flight.”</p> + +<p>It now seemed a simple thing for us to get possession +of that villainous cur. He had most like +been with the enemy we last met, and fled with his +present companions to this place in the thicket, +which it was reasonable to suppose they had come +upon by chance. It was easy to guess that the +old negro knew of our being at the Davis plantation, +and had given the information, whereupon +Seth Hastings contrived the plan; a mighty poor +one, as he would soon learn.</p> + +<p>Not until the other two scouts had come in and +brought up their horses did we venture to make +any move other than raise the question as to +whether we had best not leave the animals where<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span> +they were; but to this Master Sawyer dissented, +giving as his reason:</p> + +<p>“I have always found that the more quickly you +can come upon your enemy, and the better equipped +you are for chasing him, the more chances there +are of making a capture. Therefore if the trail be +broad enough, let us ride.”</p> + +<p>I shall always regret our having followed Master +Sawyer’s advice on that occasion, for had we dismounted +and crept up as would have been possible, +then was Seth Hastings made prisoner beyond a +peradventure, and thus one precious life would have +been saved to the Carolinas and to the Minute Boys.</p> + +<p>No good can come of harking back into the past; +when once the thing has been done the matter +should be ended, and yet I never think of this +night without being assailed by a great grief because +we were such simples as to hold to the horses +while making an attack upon an unmounted foe.</p> + +<p>It was decided that we would ride as near the +negro’s shack as the scouts might deem safe, and +then pass to the right and the left in order that +the place might be surrounded before the game +began. Then we started.</p> + +<p>In less than ten minutes we were come to the +point where it was possible to see the faint glimmer +of a flame through the foliage, and Gabriel and +Master Sawyer halted while the remainder of us +rode to the right and the left in order to encircle +the shack. This we might have done without giving +an alarm, but for the mishap which befell +Henry Moulton.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span>I was the leader of that wing which went toward +the right, and Henry rode close behind me. We +had gone hardly more than thirty paces from the +trail when his horse must have stepped into a hole, +for he fell forward with a loud snort of pain, making +such a noise among the bushes as could have +been heard full two hundred yards away.</p> + +<p>On the instant came words spoken sharply and +quickly, telling that the Tories were on the alert, +and then Gabriel’s voice crying:</p> + +<p>“Ride them down, lads, ride them down! There +is no time to be lost!”</p> + +<p>We were still floundering among the bushes, +striving to the best of our ability, but none might +see where his horse was going or what obstacle +stood in the way. While I was trying to push +ahead through a clump of thorn-bushes till the +sharp needles pierced my flesh, the crack of muskets +was heard, and perhaps a dozen shots were +fired before I succeeded in getting around the impediment +in my path.</p> + +<p>Then all was silent, save for the crashing here +and there which told that a rider was trying to +advance, and when I came up to the fire which +had been built directly in front of the shack, no +person was to be seen.</p> + +<p>We had bungled the job as beautifully as any +of the redcoats could have done, and to this day +a flush of shame comes to my cheek as I remember +that we who should have been—really were—versed +in woodcraft, blundered ahead on horses +amid the thick underbrush and in the darkness, expecting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span> +to catch an enemy who was awaiting our +arrival.</p> + +<p>Now it was that we had placed ourselves in a +position of gravest danger, for there we set our +horses in the full glare of the fire, looking at each +other like simples, while all those whom Joseph +Marshall had seen were hiding, mayhap, in the +thicket just beyond, where they could shoot us +down without risk of receiving a shot in return.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVI<br> + +<small>A SKIRMISH IN THE DARK</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> the full realization of the danger burst upon +us, my first thought was that we should ride at full +speed until having gained the highway, and almost +at the same instant I came to understand that in the +darkness, on that narrow trail, we could not hope +to make very much speed save at great risk of +coming to grief.</p> + +<p>I believe of a verity, had I been in command of +the Minute Boys I should have lost my head entirely, +so critical did the situation appear, and even +at this late day I am convinced that the peril was +not overestimated. During a full minute we stood +there motionless and silent, my comrades most like +turning over in their minds, as did I, the folly +which had marked our approach. The king’s soldiers +themselves could not have made a poorer +feint at the job than had we.</p> + +<p>I fancied Gabriel was nearly as disturbed in mind +as myself, for he gave no word of command until +Master Sawyer said to him in a low tone:</p> + +<p>“By remaining here we are simply offering ourselves +as targets to those who are hidden in the +thicket, and if I mistake not—”</p> + +<p>He did not finish the sentence, for at that instant +the report of a musket rang out wondrously sharp<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span> +on the still air, and the whistle of the missile as it +passed above our heads sounded to me almost as +loud as the singing of a bird.</p> + +<p>After that first signal that the enemy were not +minded to run away, leaving us in undisputed possession +of the field, there was no need for a command; +with one accord we lads spurred our horses +forward until we were partially sheltered by the +shack, and even while we were thus moving to a +more favorable position came the report of half a +dozen weapons. One of the bullets thus sent at +random struck the flank of my horse, causing him +to plunge and prance until I was like to have spread +disorder throughout the entire line.</p> + +<p>It was Master Sawyer who first bethought himself +to make reply to this salute of lead, and when +he discharged his musket in the direction from +which we had seen a tiny jet of fire, nearly all our +lads followed the example; thus it became a question +of reloading while mounted, which is no small +task, as any one will learn who attempts a similar +feat.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me as if our fellows had fired at +least twenty shots, the enemy meanwhile replying +vigorously, when I heard Gabriel say, as if he was +suddenly awakened to the full sense of the situation:</p> + +<p>“This shooting at random in the dark can have +no effect, and we are only wasting our ammunition. +What do you say, Master Sawyer, if we ride up the +trail in order to get out of this trap?”</p> + +<p>“It is a trap, and no mistake,” the gentleman<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span> +replied, as if thinking aloud; “but for my advice +you lads would have done the work properly, and +by this time most like be holding all those renegades +prisoners!”</p> + +<p>“Why do you say that?” Gabriel asked quickly.</p> + +<p>“Because I am beginning to understand that I +am in my dotage, otherwise such a proposition as +that we advance through the thicket on horseback +never would have been made by me.”</p> + +<p>“There is no reason, sir, why you should blame +yourself for what was done with the best intention. +We have no time to spend on regrets just +now, as it seems to me,” Gabriel said softly, and +Master Sawyer added, in a tone of contrition:</p> + +<p>“Right you are, lad, and I am but giving further +proof of my folly, therefore it is best I hold my +peace lest I lead you into yet other difficulties.”</p> + +<p>“But as to whether we shall advance, or make +a stand here?” Gabriel insisted.</p> + +<p>“As it looks to me, by riding up the trail when +we can proceed no faster than a walk, we are giving +them good opportunity to pick us off at their +leisure, but I would much prefer that you give the +command as your judgment dictates.”</p> + +<p>I could well understand that Master Sawyer had +no desire to make suggestions after such a blunder +as had been made, and at the same time I realized +that what he had said was true. We had entered +the trap with our eyes open, knowing full well it +had been set for us, and now, from my point of +view, we were forced to remain in it during a certain +time at least. Gabriel had the same idea as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span> +myself, for on the instant he said in a low tone, +himself setting the example:</p> + +<p>“We had best dismount, tie the horses’ heads +together so that they may not be able to stray, and +station ourselves between them and the shack here. +It is a case of waiting until daybreak.”</p> + +<p>From the alacrity displayed by our lads as they +obeyed this command, I could see that all were in +full accord with the decision, and as soon as might +be we were making a stand with the horses as a +barricade against any who might creep around to +the left, while the old negro’s hut afforded a poor +shelter between us and those who yet remained on +our right.</p> + +<p>“We started out counting to cover ourselves +with glory,” Archie Gordon whispered in my ear, +“and have speedily proven ourselves to be fools. +From this time on we Minute Boys had best remain +under the command of the general, not attempting +any adventure on our own account.”</p> + +<p>I was much of the same opinion, but not inclined +at that time to grieve over the details of our folly, +for we were in too great danger to spend our time +talking of what might have been. It was to be a +skirmish in the dark, and while I had little fear +that the Tories could work us much harm, firing +at random as would be necessary, yet no fellow can +look cheerful when there is fair prospect of being +wiped out by a stray shot.</p> + +<p>Once we had made our stand as has been described, +and come to realize fully that there was +no way out of the trap until day should break, we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span> +set about trying to inflict some injury upon those +who had thus far bested us.</p> + +<p>Each member of the company took position +where he could find shelter, and with musket at +his shoulder watched for the flash of light which +should tell the whereabouts of him who fired the +last shot.</p> + +<p>In this position we remained for a long, weary +time, the silence broken only by the reports of the +muskets now and then, a shot from the thicket being +answered by at least three from us, and when +it seemed as if the night must be nearly at an end +we had heard no cry of pain to tell that our missiles +had taken effect, nor had we received harm. +It was a bloodless skirmish in which no advantage +could be gained by one side or the other, save in +the way of expending ammunition, although all the +time there was present in our minds the possibility +that the enemy might try to creep up on us from +some other direction.</p> + +<p>“It is when the day breaks that we must have +our wits about us,” Gabriel whispered in my ear +as he changed position so that it might be possible +for us to converse privately. “Then those who +are in the thicket should be able to see their targets +while themselves remain concealed from view.”</p> + +<p>“But we are not going to stay here very long +after daylight,” I made reply.</p> + +<p>“No more minutes than may be necessary to +mount and ride away, but it is while we are getting +ready for the flight—and it is nothing better than +a flight—that we shall be in gravest danger.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span>“And it would serve us well right if we carried +in our bodies a few of their bullets,” I replied moodily, +for the stupidity which we had displayed caused +me to feel mighty sore. “After this night I reckon +we Minute Boys had best talk less of what it is +possible to do, and strive harder to carry out the +plans of our leader.”</p> + +<p>“Now are you grown oversensitive, Rufus. We +may say without boasting that not a little has been +accomplished by us lads, and one mistake should +not be of overly great weight in the balance.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you may figure it out as you please, strive +to get all the comfort possible from the blunder, +but as for me, whenever I am tempted to argue that +our company might make a bold stroke, I shall +remember this night’s work and hold my peace.”</p> + +<p>Then Gabriel left off talking to me, as if irritated +because I could speak of nothing save that which +had just been done by us, and again the dreary +dispiriting work of watching for a random flash, +that we might fire blindly into the thicket, was resumed.</p> + +<p>In much this same fashion was the entire night +spent. When one or another would weary of his +fruitless efforts to inflict injury, he strove to enter +into conversation with the comrade nearest him, +and, so far as I could learn, all the talk centred +about the blunder of which we had been guilty.</p> + +<p>Then came that lightening of the sky in the east +which told that the long vigil was at an end. We no +longer had time to discuss our faults, for it was a +question of getting out of that trap alive, and all<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span> +realized full well the danger to which we would +be exposed at the moment of mounting and riding +up the trail. As a matter of course, the peril would +be past in a few moments, for the horses could be +sent forward at full speed, but it was that short +interval, when our backs must perforce be turned +to the foe, which caused even so brave a man as +Master Sawyer no slight uneasiness.</p> + +<p>So nervous had I become with thinking of those +few seconds when we would be exposed to the fire +of the enemy, that it was as if daylight came with +a single bound after the first gray light of warning, +and then, while I was yet asking myself how we +were best to guard against the danger, Master +Sawyer, no longer hesitating because of the blunder +he had made, and without asking permission of +Gabriel, took command of the company by saying:</p> + +<p>“Now then, lads, move quickly, and do as I bid +you. Each one is to mount his horse while keeping +within the shelter of the shack as nearly as may +be, and when the word is given, ride out along the +trail at top speed.”</p> + +<p>Because of the words, I believed we were all to +make a dash out of the trap, at the same time taking +the chances of being hit, and striving only to +get beyond range as soon as might be. Therefore +I obeyed the command hurriedly, and once we were +mounted Master Sawyer said to Gabriel:</p> + +<p>“It is your duty to lead the company, lad, therefore +ride in advance, and let the pace be a good +one.”</p> + +<p>There was only one among us all who had an idea<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span> +that Master Sawyer intended to do other than ride +with us, and that single doubter was Archie Gordon. +When we were mounted and the horses +headed up the trail, I noted that he held back, and +said to him sharply:</p> + +<p>“It is your station immediately in the rear of +me, lad!”</p> + +<p>“Ay, but this time I am riding with Master +Sawyer.”</p> + +<p>“Go on, lad; get into line,” I heard the gentleman +say sharply, and Archie replied with a laugh:</p> + +<p>“The other fellows have not suspected what you +are about, but I am going to take my chances with +you.”</p> + +<p>I saw Master Sawyer lay hold of the bridle of +Archie’s steed, and then there was no opportunity +to observe more, for Gabriel gave the word and +off we started like an arrow shot from the bow. +The report of half a dozen muskets rang out at the +same time, thus showing that the enemy were on +the alert for our change of position.</p> + +<p>I also understood from the answering reports +that some of our fellows were firing, and, looking +back, I saw greatly to my surprise that Master +Sawyer and Archie yet remained near the shack, +watching with muskets ready for the first of the +Tories who should show himself.</p> + +<p>Now it was I understood why Master Sawyer +had thus taken command. He counted on atoning +for his blunder by remaining behind until we were +safely off, when he would have taken his own +chances alone but for Archie, who guessed at the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span> +plan and was determined to share with the gentleman +some portion of the danger.</p> + +<p>I could not have halted even if I would, because +of those behind me, and during two or three minutes +we lads rode on at our best speed, leaving in +the rear those two brave hearts who were ready +to sell their lives if needs be so that ours might be +preserved.</p> + +<p>It was a brave thing for Master Sawyer to have +done, and yet braver for Archie Gordon to bear him +company. The man was experienced in such work, +but the lad green to the business; the one had a +well-earned reputation to sustain, the other was +making his—had made it that morning so far as +we Minute Boys of South Carolina were concerned.</p> + +<p>When our company had ridden so far that it +seemed certain we were beyond musket-shot distance +from the shack, Gabriel shouted for us to halt, and +when we pulled up our steeds every fellow’s face +was turned to the rear, while I dare say all hearts +were beating as was mine when we watched for the +coming of those comrades whom there was every +reason to believe we might never see again.</p> + +<p>And yet they came through the danger safely. +Within sixty seconds after we halted there sounded +from the rear a shout of triumph, and immediately +afterward we saw the two riding toward us at full +speed, Archie yelling like a red Indian with the joy +of having sat side by side with such a man as Master +Sawyer at a time when death lurked near at hand.</p> + +<p>Gabriel gave the word for us to ride on, when +the two appeared in sight, and as we spurred the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span> +horses forward every fellow cheered for Archie, +forgetting, in the pride which was felt because of a +comrade’s heroism, that Master Sawyer had also +voluntarily staked his life for ours.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later we were halted in front of the +forge, but the place was abandoned, and Master +Sawyer said, after he had dismounted and ascertained +beyond a question that the smith was not in +sight:</p> + +<p>“When the opportunity affords it is our business, +lads, to overhaul this Master Reuben Rowe, and if +he still be of the mind to take neither one side nor +the other, then will we give him a taste of what +colorless people in such times as these deserve.”</p> + +<p>Again we rode on, heading directly for the Davis +plantation, our faces lengthening as we drew nearer +to it, for the time was rapidly approaching when we +must confess to such as General Marion and Captain +Horry that we had proven ourselves simples of the +most simple type, and such prospect was not pleasing.</p> + +<p>“There is but one way out of it,” Gabriel said to +me when he had slackened pace that we might ride +side by side, and he spoke as if it had been the continuation +of a previous conversation. “That is to +own up at once, before there is opportunity for much +question, that we have been fools.”</p> + +<p>“There is little need for many words in order +to prove that,” I replied with a mirthless laugh. +“We have spent the night in showing your brother +that the Minute Boys are not to be trusted out of his +sight, and from this on we had best content ourselves<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span> +with doing sentinel duty around the encampment.”</p> + +<p>“No, no, lad, it is not so bad as you would paint +it,” Master Sawyer cried as, hearing my words, he +spurred his horse alongside us two. “The fault +lies with me, and it is I who will tell the story of +this night’s blunder. You have done as well, under +all the circumstances, as could the best troopers the +general has in his command; that I maintain stoutly. +I question if any man lives who would not be forced +to confess to a mistake now and then, and yet you +are not required to do even that, since it was I who +urged you to what I dare venture to say was against +your better judgment. The whole amount of this +night’s work is that you failed to capture those who +set a trap for you, and verily in that there can be +no great crime.”</p> + +<p>Master Sawyer said very much more in the same +strain, so bent was he on taking all the blame, and +trying to convince us that after skulking the whole +night under the guns of such Tories as Seth Hastings +had been able to gather from out the mass of +fugitives, we had done gallant work.</p> + +<p>We knew the facts only too well, however, and +when we rode up the lane to where we had encamped +the afternoon previous, the dullest person +on the plantation could have told by the expression +on our faces that matters had gone awry.</p> + +<p>Our words were pledged, however, to Master +Sawyer, that he be allowed to make the report, and +once in camp we set about feeding and grooming +our horses, that we might be ready for whatsoever<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span> +change of base the commander counted on making.</p> + +<p>We were soon to learn, however, that General +Marion considered himself in a fairly secure position +here on the Davis plantation, for before we had +good opportunity of speaking with him concerning +the misadventure of the night, it was whispered +around among our men that word had been brought +in regarding one of Colonel Wemyss’s officers who +was encamped near Lynch’s Creek, having proceeded +there with a considerable body of Tories +under orders to force our people to a battle at all +hazards. Those who brought such word also gave +the welcome news that several squads of patriots +were on their way to join us. By remaining where +we were it would be possible, not only to yet further +recruit our force, but make such preparations as +might enable us to meet with a reasonable hope of +success those renegades who believed they could +whip us in a fair fight.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that we settled ourselves down +to the hospitality which Master Davis so freely bestowed, +for he was one of those patriots who stood +ready to give up all he possessed with the hope of +aiding the Cause, and had it been necessary I dare +venture to say he would have been the first to apply +the torch to his own property.</p> + +<p>Before another night came we had an interview +with General Marion, but there is no need I should +say very much concerning it. Master Sawyer had +given him all the details of the night’s work, blaming +himself, as we expected, more than was really<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span> +deserved, and the general said to us laughingly that +he understood we were plunged into the depths of +despondency because of failing to accomplish our +purpose, when as a matter of fact there was no +reason for us to grieve.</p> + +<p>“Do not think that any one of this company will +question your courage, lads, for you have already +shown us what it is possible for you to do, and will +give yet further proof when the occasion presents +itself,” he said laughingly, as he turned away to +receive the report of some of the scouts who had +just come in.</p> + +<p>And now concerning the next four days there is +no reason why I should set down anything, save to +say that we remained quietly on the Davis plantation, +hearing from those who were friendly to the +Cause and living near at hand much concerning the +movements of the enemy.</p> + +<p>Then on the morning of the fifth day it was announced +by those troopers who claimed to know full +well all the plans our commander might make, that +within another four and twenty hours we were to +set off for the purpose of giving Captain Harrison +the opportunity he professed to be aching for. +There was never one among us who did not believe +we could stand against twice our number of renegades, +and whip them out of their boots.</p> + +<p>So confident were these newsmongers that we began +to make such few preparations as were possible +for the coming march, but before the day was at an +end we learned that which turned our attention for +the time being elsewhere.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[305]</span>It was about three o’clock in the afternoon when +friends of the Cause rode in with the information +that the Tories were gathered in large force at +Salem, near the fork of the Black River. Here, so +it was reported, Colonel Tyne of the British service +had appeared, summoning the people as subjects of +his Majesty to take the field against their countrymen, +and what served more than anything else to +set us aflame was the report that he had brought +with him ample supplies of war materials, provisions, +and even of luxuries such as our people had +not seen for many a month.</p> + +<p>Eager though we were to measure strength with +Harrison’s Tories, the idea of new muskets with +bayonets, broadswords and pistols, saddles and +bridles, and powder and ball, which the Britisher +had brought with him, caused our mouths to water.</p> + +<p>Had General Marion declined to take advantage +of such opportunity to give his force a new equipment +as seemed suddenly to have presented itself, +I believe the men under him, obedient and faithful +as they had been, would have indulged in much +murmuring, for they were sadly in need of many +things which it was said lay near at hand for the +taking.</p> + +<p>An hour later came very definite information, and +those who brought it were eager in their demands +that our troop take possession of these stores, which +were guarded only by a single company of redcoats. +It was reported that Colonel Tyne had moved from +Salem to Tarcote, on the fork of the Black River, +and there had seemingly gone into regular camp,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[306]</span> +being apparently so secure in mind regarding the +safety of his position, that such watchfulness as +common prudence would have dictated was neglected.</p> + +<p>To sweep down and possess ourselves of these +goods which were intended for the benefit of our +enemies, was exactly the kind of work for which we +were best adapted, and every man was in a fever to +be at the task which was at one and the same time +for the benefit of the Cause and the equipment of +ourselves.</p> + +<p>While the officers deliberated, the rank and file +announced what articles they most needed, as if it +were only necessary to make the statement in order +to have their desires fulfilled. In fact, there was +not one among us but that believed we could have +for the choosing anything among Colonel Tyne’s +stores.</p> + +<p>Perhaps we, as well as the Britishers, were becoming +overconfident as to our strength. We knew +beyond a peradventure that Tarleton with his legion +would soon be at our heels after the last blow we +delivered; that Harrison and his Tories were ahead +of us, and this Colonel Tyne at our left, the three +forces probably being so near each other that it +would be possible for them to unite against us in +a comparatively short time. Yet we gave little +heed to any possibility save that we were to capture +new equipments and stores.</p> + +<p>A single company of redcoats seemed to us a +force so small as to demand no very serious +thought. Even us lads of the Minute Boys were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span> +inclined to look upon the capture of Colonel Tyne’s +camp as nothing more than an incident in this odd +warfare which we were carrying on, and because +it proved really to be no more than we expected, I +must not allow myself to give overly many words +to the matter.</p> + +<p>I believe it was in General Marion’s mind to show +that he had quite as much confidence in the Minute +Boys as before we made the blunder, for on that +very afternoon were we summoned to the dwelling, +where we found our commander, Captain Horry, +and a score or more of people of importance living +near about.</p> + +<p>Then it was that General Marion told us what we +already knew concerning this Colonel Tyne, and +asked that we select three of our company to reconnoitre +the camp. Tarcote was only a trifle more +than ten miles away, and we were to leave the Davis +plantation two hours in advance of the troop, which +would give us, if anything occurred to prevent our +gaining the information desired, ample opportunity +to double back on our trail and meet the “ragged +regiment” at where they would be halted awaiting +our return.</p> + +<p>Gabriel made no reply on receiving this command, +but, saluting, wheeled about and led the way toward +where our horses were stabled, we following his +example as a matter of course. Then, instead of +going through the form of drawing lots, the leader +simply announced to the company that he, Archie +Gordon, and Rufus Randolph would act as the +scouts, and the remainder of the company were to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[308]</span> +fall in line with General Marion’s command when +they set off.</p> + +<p>It can well be fancied how determined we were to +do our work faithfully on this night in order to +atone for what we yet insisted was a grievous +blunder, and off we rode as quickly as might be, +exchanging no words until well away from the +plantation. Then, instead of talking about what we +were to do, we spoke of the past, and of how thoroughly +we would whip Harrison’s Tories; but keeping +silent upon the purpose of our ride, not because +we feared to lose courage, but that each fellow +seemed to have it in mind to act and speak as if this +work was so easily performed as to not need discussion +or comment.</p> + +<p>And in fact so did it prove. When we were come +near to Tarcote the horses were left in a convenient +thicket, and we crept cautiously forward to reconnoitre. +But, bless you, we might almost have +walked boldly through the camp, so carelessly was +it guarded. As a matter of fact we approached +within earshot at a dozen points, and failed, strange +as it may seem, to find a single sentinel on guard.</p> + +<p>These redcoats were living on the fat of the land, +and with all the luxuries at their command. They +had an ample supply of new canvas tents, and in +these were men playing at cards or sleeping, while +around the camp-fires lounged squads drinking and +smoking as if they were simply out on a picnic. In +a dwelling near by the officers were having a feast, +carousing as if their one purpose was to so befuddle +their senses that the Swamp Fox and his followers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[309]</span> +might work their will without danger and at +ease.</p> + +<p>The reconnoissance was attended with as little +peril as if we three had gone out sightseeing with +our friends, and although I am not counting myself +as being a particularly courageous lad, yet I was +utterly ashamed of having accomplished the task so +readily.</p> + +<p>When we stole away, not overly careful as to +making a noise, and were mounting our horses, +Gabriel said with a laugh, as if he had forgotten +that we allowed Seth Hastings to make fools of us:</p> + +<p>“If all the Minute Boys had been with us, I dare +venture to say we alone could have captured the +camp, providing we waited until those sots were a +little deeper in their cups. As it is, we have only +to report to the general that the goods which +Colonel Tyne brought for the Tories are at his +disposal whenever he chooses to take them.”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[310]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVII<br> + +<small>SETH HASTINGS ONCE MORE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> I were given to boasting I might set down +many words describing what we said and did before +moving upon Colonel Tyne’s camp, but it was such +an insignificant affair that I would be ashamed to +give any space to it, but for the fact that it is necessary +to explain how we were able to equip the force +completely and with the best of goods.</p> + +<p>From having seen the men carousing in their +tents with never a sentinel stationed anywhere +around, and the officers befuddling their brains with +liquor, we knew beyond a peradventure there could +be no desperate fight, yet we were not prepared for +that which followed.</p> + +<p>After acquainting the general with what we had +learned, Gabriel, Archie, and I fell back in the rear +to join the Minute Boys, and a moment later the +word to advance was given. We were then not over +a mile and a half from the encampment, and I was +surprised that no effort was made toward advancing +in silence.</p> + +<p>As usual General Marion and Captain Horry +rode in advance at a sharp trot, and the remainder +of the troop followed close behind them. Thus we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[311]</span> +went on, never drawing rein until we were in the +very midst of the redcoats, who were running here +and there in helpless panic like so many ants on +whose nest you have put your foot.</p> + +<p>It may seem like boasting, yet it is only the naked +truth that we did not discharge a weapon nor draw +a sabre until the fugitives were directly under the +horses’ noses, and then our men forbore to strike +those bewildered, imitation soldiers because it was +more like murdering in cold blood, than warfare.</p> + +<p>Bless you, they made no resistance whatsoever. +There was never the slightest attempt, so far as I +could see, to stand against us. If the officers did not +lead in the retreat, it was because they were so befuddled +with liquor that it was impossible for them +to keep pace set by those who first fled. The gallant +Colonel Tyne fell a prisoner to us because the scabbard +of his sword, dangling between his drunken +legs, sent him headlong, whereupon one of our +troopers, bending from the saddle, literally hauled +the half-stupefied officer on to his horse’s back, and, +if you please, held him there while we rode yet +farther across the encampment.</p> + +<p>Had we been so minded, and had ammunition in +plenty, we might have slain nine out of every ten of +that mob without receiving a blow in return. Those +who were not intoxicated with liquor, were so befuddled +by fear as to be incapable of resistance. It +was only possible for them to run, and the swiftness +of their pace was measured by their temperance or +excesses.</p> + +<p>It is also true that we were literally forced to take<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[312]</span> +prisoners when we understood that anything of the +kind was to be avoided, for having overridden two +or three squads of them, we found the cravens huddled +together and shrieking for mercy when we returned, +consequently there was nothing left save +accept their surrender.</p> + +<p>It was the greatest farce of an attack a man could +dream of, and we were actually so ashamed of being +able to do much as we pleased, that instead of pursuing +those frightened wretches who were heading +for the swamp just north of Tarcote, orders were +given us to return and gather up the plunder.</p> + +<p>“We will camp here this night,” Captain Horry +said, after holding a brief conversation with General +Marion immediately we were returned from the feint +at pursuit. “We will camp here with the hope that +some of those gallant Tories may have recovered +from their drunken stupor sufficiently to give us a +taste of their metal, for this time instead of avoiding +an engagement, General Marion desires one, in +order that we may get our hands in before paying a +visit to Harrison.”</p> + +<p>Well, we fell upon the encampment like a party +of schoolboys, laughing and shouting in our glee, +while the prisoners, guarded only by three men, +watched us curiously.</p> + +<p>Word was passed that all the members of the +force should take whatsoever fancy might dictate, +it being stipulated, however, that no man would be +allowed to carry anything away save what he or his +horse might wear. Once this was known our steeds +were decked out with new saddles and bridles in a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[313]</span> +twinkling, while more than half of our party sported +English uniforms taken in exchange for the rags +which gave the name to our regiment.</p> + +<p>The abundance of everything we found there +made us fastidious, and you would see a trooper +who an hour previous had been well content to use +a musket the stock of which was tied together with +cords, balancing this weapon or that in his hands to +see which might be the best fitted for his use, or +come across some grizzled woodsman trying to decide +between a private’s crimson headgear and an +officer’s lighter hat, that he might learn which was +most becoming to his weather-beaten face.</p> + +<p>There is no need for me to say that we were so +forgetful of our precious selves as to fail in setting +guards closely around the camp, and during the first +two hours these sentinels were changed as often as +once in every ten minutes, to the end that each fellow +might have full opportunity with his comrades +to get a new equipment.</p> + +<p>It must have been midnight before we were done +with the horse-play, and then we took possession of +the canvas tents so generously provided by the king, +but not for our comfort, and every member of the +troop found himself housed more luxuriously than +since the day Charleston was taken.</p> + +<p>We Minute Boys arranged four of the tents in +line to make a single large one where all could find +shelter, and in addition, so plentiful were these luxuries, +we set up a canvas roof for the horses, surprising +those patient animals with the plentiful +amount of provender which was dealt out to them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[314]</span>To me it was very strange, when we had arranged +quarters to suit ourselves and gathered up from the +profusion of stores as much provisions as would +have served twice our number a full week, to see an +expression of something like disappointment on the +faces of all. Never were soldiers provided with such +luxuries as we at that time; never had the troops +won such an easy victory, and yet there was something +lacking, as we all felt. We were not bloodthirsty +by any manner of means, but it almost +shamed us that we had been allowed to work our +will in the encampment, and what every member of +our company felt was voiced by Archie Gordon +when he said:</p> + +<p>“If there had been only one bloody-back, or a +single Tory, however crippled, who would have +stood up and exchanged shots with us, I should be +better satisfied this minute. To be living here like +princes without having spent a single charge of +ammunition is much like cheating, and while you +fellows will find that I won’t shirk when it comes +time to eat, these stores paid for by the king would +taste a deal better if we had really earned them.”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="i_p314a"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_p314a.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">“‘AND WE ARE TO LEAVE ALL THESE CAMP EQUIPMENTS?’”</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>So much for our visit—it cannot be called an attack—upon +Colonel Tyne. How we lads slept that +night! When our beds had been the bare earth, and +our blankets only so much of dew as fell from the +heavens, we were up and stirring at the first crack +of day. But here with a rain-defying covering over +us, and a plentiful supply of straw beneath us, it was +really painful to be forced to go out and attend to +the regular camp duties. I had an idea that even +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[315]</span>the horses would have been better content had we +left them to their repose, instead of disturbing them +by pouring in front of each a full day’s supply of +grain.</p> + +<p>“It is too bad,” Archie said as he took upon himself +the duties of cook by dexterously toasting slices +of sweet bacon in front of the fire Jared Green had +built, “that we are to leave all these luxuries so +soon. I would truly love to learn by eight and forty +hours’ experience how the darling soldiers of the +king fare, when not running away from the enemy.”</p> + +<p>“Then it is in your mind that we shall break +camp at once?” Jacob Breen asked, as he threw +himself at full length opposite a plate of bark in +which Archie was depositing the bacon as fast as it +was cooked, and slyly taking therefrom now and +then a particularly choice slice when Master Gordon +was not looking.</p> + +<p>“It is in my mind, but not of my mind,” Archie +replied. “General Marion is not the kind of a commander +who dwaddles away his time in such a place +as this. If peradventure we were in the Black +Mingo with not enough of dry land on which a +fellow might plant both of his feet at the same time, +then would there be a possibility of our remaining +undisturbed; but as it is, I am counting we will be +lucky if it does not become necessary to eat this +bacon while in the saddle.”</p> + +<p>“And we are to leave all these camp equipments +for the next bunch of Tories that comes along?”</p> + +<p>“I am reckoning they will be burned, unless orders +are given to the contrary.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[316]</span>“And why should you destroy what so many of +our soldiers up North are needing most woefully?” +a cheery voice cried, and turning, Archie saw Captain +Horry, who had come up from behind the tent +and was sniffing at the air so heavily laden with the +odor of fried bacon.</p> + +<p>“The general said last night that nothing could +be carried away, so it stands to reason he is counting +on leaving all these fashionable articles of warfare, +and it seems a pity to let a crowd of renegades +in where honest men have spent the night.”</p> + +<p>“I am reckoning, Master Minute Boy, that very +much will be done toward saving this plunder, with +the exception of what the men have already appropriated,” +Captain Horry said with a laugh. “Already +some of the troopers have been sent out with +the hope of finding wagons in which the goods can +be transported to Kingstree.”</p> + +<p>“And why to that place?” Jacob Breen asked.</p> + +<p>“Because word has been brought that Colonel +Baker is there with considerable of a following, and +it is believed he may be able to hold the place while +we are keeping the redcoats busy in this section.”</p> + +<p>“It is a big relief to know that the stuff is not +to be left behind,” Archie said, “though I <i>would</i> +like to try the experiment of sleeping another night +in such a shelter as that.”</p> + +<p>“And so you may, lad,” the captain replied, helping +himself to some of Archie’s bacon. “Even if +the general was so disposed, it would not be possible +to send forward these stores immediately, and +there is little doubt but that we shall remain in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[317]</span> +camp three or four days before the quarters of the +Minute Boys are disturbed.”</p> + +<p>“Well, say, that’s great news, captain! Take +more of the bacon—take it all, and I will keep +right on toasting to repay you for the information. +Three or four days here will be just like a dream, +although I am not so sure but it will come all the +harder for us when we strike once more such a +nest in the swamp as the commander likes to pick +out.”</p> + +<p>Captain Horry had not paid us this visit simply +from motives of curiosity, but in order to send two +of our company back to the Davis plantation with +word regarding the success, and that Master Davis +might be urged to forward as many wagons for the +transportation of the goods as he could come at +conveniently.</p> + +<p>It was simply to carry a message where there +was naught of danger to be encountered, or honor +to be won, and I who had listened to the conversation +just set down, was careful not to make myself +too conspicuous lest I be signalled out as one of the +couriers, for, like Archie Gordon, I had a great +desire to spend all the time possible in such an encampment +as I had never before seen.</p> + +<p>“Who will ride to the plantation?” Gabriel +cried, and straightway Jacob Breen and Jared Green +offered themselves as volunteers. Archie winking +at me quizzically as the boys rose to their feet eager +for the service, thus giving me to understand that +he was no more inclined to absent himself from our +snug quarters than I.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[318]</span>What a breakfast we made that morning, we +Minute Boys! After our hunger was satisfied we +ate for the sake of eating, until it seemed absolutely +impossible to swallow another mouthful, and then, +as do the hogs, we lay down to sleep, giving no +heed to the fact that our company had not been +called upon to furnish sentinels, as should have been +the case. Under other circumstances we would +have been jealous because of this apparent neglect, +for we were eager to do our full duty as soldiers, +but not one gave it thought, and we spent our time +as idly as if we had been Tories instead of Minute +Boys who had sworn to defend the Cause even to +the extent of yielding up our lives.</p> + +<p>Toward noon Gabriel and two or three other lads +lounged over to the dwelling where General Marion +had his quarters, but Archie and I remained within +the tent, save at such times as it was necessary to +look after the horses, for we were minded to take +all the comfort we might, and because there was +nothing better to do, we fell to talking about Seth +Hastings, of the trap he laid, or the triumph which +was probably his because we had gone into it like +simples, until Archie said petulantly:</p> + +<p>“The very name of that villain gives me a bad +taste in my mouth, and it is the next thing to crime +to talk about him while we are so snugly housed.”</p> + +<p>“How much pleasure would you find in sitting +here if so be we knew beyond a peradventure that +the cur was within a dozen miles of us?” I asked +laughingly, and he replied quickly:</p> + +<p>“If there was one chance out of ten that he might<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[319]</span> +be within thirty miles, and we were given permission +to set off in pursuit of him, I would agree never +to go into a camp like this so long as I might remain +in the service.”</p> + +<p>Just then we heard the thud of horses’ feet outside, +and started up in no little surprise, for the +animals were approaching rapidly, as if their riders +were impatient to arrive at the earliest possible moment. +Then looking out from the flaps of the tent, +we saw that Jacob and Jared had returned.</p> + +<p>“Were you afraid that we might get more than +our share of the plunder that you have ridden so +fast?” Archie asked, looking at the horses, which +were covered with foam as if having been ridden +at full speed.</p> + +<p>“We were in a hurry to get back,” Jacob replied, +as he dismounted, pulling off the saddle and bridle +that his weary steed might roll at will upon the +grass, “and we are bringing news which concerns +all the Minute Boys,” he added, whereupon Archie +came out of the tent quickly as he cried:</p> + +<p>“You have heard regarding Seth Hastings?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, so it would seem, although we may have +mistaken some other for him.”</p> + +<p>“Tell us what you know,” I cried impatiently. +“Don’t stand there mouthing your words as if they +were sweet to the taste.”</p> + +<p>“It may be that in our eagerness to pay off scores +with Seth Hastings I have jumped at conclusions +and overleaped the mark; but of that you shall +decide,” Jacob said hurriedly. “When we were +come to the plantation and had described to Master<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[320]</span> +Davis how easily we sent the Tories flying, he declared +we deserved a rich reward for bringing such +tidings. He gave it by telling us that at daybreak +this very morning the smith, Master Reuben Rowe, +had come to him declaring that a party of boys had +the same as accused him of being in league with +enemies to the Cause. Now it seems that Master +Rowe had no intention of proving he was a patriot, +but wanted rather to make it plain he was holding +neutral, as he ever claimed to do. He told Master +Davis that hearing the noise of firing during the +night from the direction of the old negro’s shack, +he set off to learn what might have been done; he +was coming up the trail when we appeared, and +stepped aside in the thicket lest we do him injury. +Shortly after he came within sight, while he himself +was hidden by the foliage, of five men and a boy, +all armed and making their way cautiously toward +the highway. These he followed until they struck +across the country, avoiding the Davis plantation, +going in the direction of Tarcote, and it was his +belief that, having learned of Colonel Tyne’s encampment +at that place, they were counting on joining +him.”</p> + +<p>“Therefore you see,” Jared interrupted, thinking +it was proper he should bear his full share of the +conversation, “that the lad we are so eager to lay +hand on may be near about. Certain it is he was +in the negro’s shack when we rode up so foolishly, +and it is equally true the villain must go somewhere +to find the king’s friends, for by this time he does +not dare make himself known to any who serve the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[321]</span> +Cause. Jacob and I have almost come to believe +that even at this moment Seth Hastings and his four +Tory companions may be travelling this way all +ignorant of the fact that our people are in possession +of the encampment. A rich joke would it be +if the scoundrel walked in here believing he might +find those who would give him shelter and food because +of his treason.”</p> + +<p>I was aflame on the instant. I could see nothing +untrue or strained in this story of Master Rowe’s +that he was anxious to prove he had not given aid +to the Tories, because, once suspected of so doing, +Master Davis would have made reprisals beyond +question. Therefore it was I believed his story implicitly.</p> + +<p>Perhaps because I wanted to believe such a thing, +it seemed to me positive Tarcote was Seth Hastings’s +destination, and unless he ran across some +of those whom we had driven out of the encampment, +then was there good chance he might come +on all ignorant of what had taken place, until getting +a glimpse of us who were in possession.</p> + +<p>“We must tell Gabriel and the rest of the company,” +I said excitedly. “Wait here and I will +fetch them.”</p> + +<p>Then I ran with all speed to the commander’s +quarters, finding there Gabriel and half a dozen of +my companions, whom I summoned without loss of +time by saying:</p> + +<p>“Jacob and Jared have brought in great news. +Come at once to our quarters!”</p> + +<p>They could understand full well from my appearance<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[322]</span> +that something of moment was in the wind, +and I had no reason to complain of their delay.</p> + +<p>Five minutes later the Minute Boys were gathered, +and Jacob repeated his story. My comrades +were quite as highly excited as was I, and never one +of them doubted the truth of the information, or +that it related to the lad we were so eager to get +into our clutches.</p> + +<p>In a twinkling, forgetting that because of having +walked into the trap which the traitorous cur laid +for us we had vowed never to go out as a company +of Minute Boys on our own account, we at once began +to argue as to how we might turn this news to +advantage. More than one believed we should set +out in skirmish line, advancing two or three miles +from the encampment in the direction from which +we believed the cur would come, and there await +him.</p> + +<p>I was of this number. If the scoundrel came up +until having seen our people, he would make his +escape, and we would be culpable because of having +lingered in camp without taking some steps toward +welcoming him in proper fashion.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately as it then seemed—and I still +hold that the disaster which finally came to us might +have been averted if we had set off in search of Seth +Hastings at once—the day was destined to be one +of excitement, for before we could decide upon a +plan satisfactory to all, two men, well known to be +friends to the Cause, rode into camp with information +of the highest importance.</p> + +<p>It was rumored among the people of Georgetown,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">[323]</span> +so the newcomers said, that Lord Cornwallis +had begged Tarleton to make an end of General +Marion, with the result that the infamous butcher +had arisen from a bed of sickness brought on by his +own excesses, with a vow that he would capture the +“scurvy Swamp Fox,” and at once sent word to +his legion, which was before Camden, with orders +to meet him on the Wateree River, from whence he +would set out to capture our general.</p> + +<p>We lads did not hear this report made, but several +of the troopers were present at the interview, +and reported that our general said in reply:</p> + +<p>“We will make Colonel Tarleton’s commission +as easy of accomplishment as possible, so far as the +whereabouts of the ‘Swamp Fox’ is concerned.”</p> + +<p>Of course this was the same as saying that General +Marion intended to set off to meet the butcher +Tarleton half-way.</p> + +<p>We Minute Boys were greatly perplexed immediately +all this was made known, for if the troopers +were to break camp then would our plan for capturing +Seth Hastings come to naught, although +Archie boldly declared we had the right, under all +the circumstances, to separate ourselves from the +“ragged regiment,” if such should be our desire, +and the pity of it is, as I look back now, that we +did not listen more attentively to his advice.</p> + +<p>We were yet discussing this information when +some of the troopers who had been sent out as +scouts returned, bringing word that a large number +of Britishers were on the road from Camden, evidently +destined for Georgetown. It had not been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">[324]</span> +possible to discover what troops these might be, but, +taken in connection with the information already +received, they were probably a portion, if not the +whole, of Tarleton’s Legion. This therefore confirmed +the news already received.</p> + +<p>Immediately our people set about making ready +for a move without waiting for word or command, +because the reply which the general gave to those +who told him of Tarleton’s purpose was sufficient +to show his intention.</p> + +<p>Of course, had we lads been long enough in the +service to realize better what a soldier’s duties are, +there would have been no question in our minds as +to what must be done, but as it was, holding ourselves +as an independent command, and believing +it remained with our leader to say whether he would +obey orders of the general or not, a discussion arose +as to what we should do.</p> + +<p>Seeing that Gabriel was pained because we had +even the slightest idea of breaking away from his +brother, I did not take any very great part in the +discussion, which at one time seemed about to terminate +in favor of Archie Gordon’s proposition, +which was that our sole duty should be to find the +lad who would have worked us so much harm.</p> + +<p>However, Gabriel’s prayers, for he did condescend +to beg of his comrades, finally prevailed, and +we agreed to do that which should have been plain +before us at the outset, for, having joined General +Marion’s force at our own good pleasure, we had +no right to leave it for private ends.</p> + +<p>It is necessary I set down here the fact that at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">[325]</span> +this time, when we were making ready to march +toward Tarleton lest he should have difficulty in +finding us, the “ragged regiment” increased wondrously +in size. It is not possible to state the exact +number of men comprising it, but I should say we +were not less than six hundred strong, all mounted +and well armed, thanks to Colonel Tyne’s stores, +and with a fairly good supply of ammunition.</p> + +<p>Because we had not as yet been repulsed, but had +found it much the same as child’s play to take possession +of any encampment we chanced upon, our +people were confident we could successfully cope +with a force two or three times as large as our own. +Therefore were we overconfident, which is sometimes +as much of a crime as cowardice.</p> + +<p>However eager he was to come up with Tarleton, +General Marion did not intend to leave so much +property behind him for the benefit of the Tories +whom we knew must be lurking near about, nor was +he minded to destroy it.</p> + +<p>Six of our people were ordered to remain until +wagons should be sent, so that as many of the +goods as possible might be carried to Kingstree. It +was easier to give such a command than to carry +it out, for with only six to guard what must be +tempting bait for those whom we had despoiled, it +would not be any desperate venture to overcome +them, and I questioned very seriously whether the +half-dozen brave fellows who had volunteered for +such dangerous service would ever be seen by us +again.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">[326]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVIII<br> + +<small>MANŒUVRING FOR POSITION</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">I have</span> already set it down that our people were +much the same as wild with delight when it seemed +probable we were about to set off in search of +Colonel Tarleton, lest he might have some difficulty +in finding us who were eager to meet him, and the +greater number of our “ragged regiment” firmly +believed we would give battle wheresoever we +chanced to come upon the enemy.</p> + +<p>I myself fancied, as did Gabriel, that our commander, +believing his force sufficient to warrant acting +on the offensive, would turn the tables by hunting +Tarleton, when the truth was, as I learned later, +that General Marion made a change of base in order +to have choice of the battle-field, taking good +care to arrange everything in his favor, if that +might be possible, before trying conclusions.</p> + +<p>That which was done during the week or two +following our abandonment of the encampment +provided for us by Colonel Tyne, proved that General +Marion was an able soldier, and the fact that +he came to grief in this one case does not detract +in any little degree, so I have heard military authorities +say, from his reputation.</p> + +<p>If we Minute Boys had known that the order +to break camp had been given simply because the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">[327]</span> +general was not willing to meet Tarleton’s force +at Tarcote, and that we were setting off only in +order to manœuvre for position, as the captain of +a ship jockeys to get weather gauge of his adversary, +then it is certain we would have left the +force sufficiently long to have one more try at capturing +Seth Hastings. Had we done so, we might +have saved a life that had become very dear to us, +and much of the history concerning the Carolinas +in the year of grace 1781 would have been written +in a different strain.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately, as it has ever seemed to me, we +were in ignorance of the true reason for abandoning +Colonel Tyne’s encampment, and believed it +our duty to hold with the “ragged regiment,” to +the end that we might do our full share of the +fighting which seemed so near at hand.</p> + +<p>Our horses were in good condition when we set +off at sunset, leaving behind us all that store of +plunder under guard of the brave fellows who had +undertaken to hold it even when they knew that +if any body of the enemy came up they must necessarily +be killed or taken prisoners—which last +was a worse fate than that of death. Every man +among us was eager to measure strength with that +human brute, Tarleton, who had devastated the +Carolinas wherever he marched, and, because of +the success which had been ours, we believed we +might make an attempt under any condition, however +disadvantageous, with the certainty of besting +him.</p> + +<p>We rode swiftly that night, and all the next<span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">[328]</span> +day, hardly drawing rein save to water and feed +our horses, until arriving once more at Nelson’s +Ferry. This was the second time we had crossed +the entire district of Williamsburg with a speed +such as astounded the British horsemen, and it is +little wonder that our general had received from +them the name in which we of the “ragged regiment” +gloried.</p> + +<p>Exactly how strong the enemy were there was +no means of knowing, although one might guess +that Tarleton would not come out with less than +his full legion, which numbered upward of eleven +hundred men, but yet we pressed forward even +after having come upon their trail until the moment +arrived when it would have been folly to +advance farther, because our horses were winded.</p> + +<p>Then we made camp in the thicket, Gabriel complaining +bitterly because his brother had called a +halt, although the steed which the lad bestrode +could not have kept his feet an hour longer.</p> + +<p>With the enemy so near at hand, for Tarleton +was reported to be no more than ten miles away, +it was necessary to take every precaution at this +encampment, and we were yet hard at work throwing +up rude breastworks such as would suffice for +the use of the sharpshooters, when Colonel Richardson, +who had served under General Sumter +until wounded and then retired to his plantation, +came up.</p> + +<p>He brought definite information regarding the +strength and position of the enemy, and because +our general did not appear to be greatly alarmed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">[329]</span> +after the story had been told, he cried passionately:</p> + +<p>“You can easily be surrounded here, and, with +such a force as Tarleton has, must be cut to pieces, +however bravely your men may fight! To make a +stand now would be useless sacrifice of life, and I +beg of you, General Marion, to seek a more advantageous +place in which to meet the enemy, for +if your regiment be defeated now, it will be a +death-blow to the Cause in the Carolinas.”</p> + +<p>Our people were hardly such idiots as to fail +of understanding that talk like this from an experienced +officer, one known to be a staunch friend +to the Cause, was not to be disregarded, and, therefore, +were prepared for the order which came half +an hour later.</p> + +<p>It was known that General Marion had every +confidence in the opinion of the colonel, and was +counting on following it, when the word was +passed for those who were at work on the barricades +to cease labor that the horses might be given +due care in the hope they would be able to travel +yet a few miles farther. The men were told to +make a hurried meal, and this last command had, +in many cases, not yet been obeyed, when the order +was given to mount.</p> + +<p>In less than an hour from the time Colonel +Richardson came into the encampment, we were +urging our jaded steeds through that gloomy +swamp known as the “wood-yard,” and, two hours +later, the command was halted on the bank of +Jack’s Creek.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">[330]</span>We had covered only six miles in all that time, +owing to the condition of the horses, but it was +sufficient, so far as eluding the Britishers was concerned, +because they might not come across us unless, +perchance, that traitor among our number—he +who had aided Seth Hastings in escaping—found +opportunity to send back word to the Britishers, +and that was a possibility which our officers +had ever kept in mind since it was known we had +in our ranks one who would serve the king at the +first safe chance.</p> + +<p>While Colonel Tarleton was a butcher—one +who had no idea of mercy or compassion—it is +only just to give him credit of being a good soldier +after his own particular fashion. As a man to +lead hard-riders, he was perhaps the best in the +king’s service, and we who were now fleeing before +him understood that not a single moment would +be lost in the pursuit if he had an inkling of our +whereabouts.</p> + +<p>Ride as fast and as long as we might, his men +would ever be at our heels, while they could hold +the pace, and it was endurance and the speed of +the horses which would give the final result.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that from the moment when, +at Colonel Tyne’s old encampment, it was known +the Britishers were devoting all their efforts to the +one purpose of crushing the “ragged regiment,” +not a man of the command, save those whom General +Marion knew personally were devoted heart +and soul to the Cause, were allowed to leave the +ranks or the camps. The sentinels were selected<span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">[331]</span> +from such of the regiment as had been proven +beyond a doubt, and the word passed at all times +was that an alarm should be given without delay +if any one lagged behind on the march, or attempted +to stray beyond the lines marked out for +the encampment.</p> + +<p>During this last painful, but short, march, we +Minute Boys had been ordered to bring up the +rear, that we might guard against straggling on the +part of our people, and all along the line rode men +whose duty it was to shoot down without warning +any one who did not hold his designated place in +the ranks.</p> + +<p>The fear of what that single traitor whom we +had reason to believe was among us, would be +able to do, was far greater than that of meeting +all the redcoats Tarleton could bring against us, +for the rank and file of our “ragged regiment” +had not yet come to understand why we might +fail to ride at ease through any body of the enemy +that opposed our advance.</p> + +<p>At daybreak our brigade was on the march once +more, the men weary to the verge of exhaustion, +and the horses so jaded that they appeared unable +to continue, even at a walk, a single mile farther. +But yet we kept on over bogs and through swamps +until arriving at Benbow’s Ferry, about ten miles +above Kingstree, where was a strong natural camp.</p> + +<p>It was a place with which we were familiar. It +commanded the ferry, and as within easy riding +distance of all the country roundabout from which +we must draw provisions and provender. As a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_332">[332]</span> +rallying point it could not have been equalled in +the Carolinas, and should we be hard pressed there +were three difficult passes through the swamp in +the rear where, if necessary, we might make a +stubborn fight.</p> + +<p>Strong as was this position, General Marion set +about strengthening it yet further. Trees were +felled, breastworks built, and in eight and forty +hours we were prepared to hold our own against +Tarleton’s much-vaunted legion, reasoning that +our defences made up for lack of numbers until +we were fully the enemy’s equal.</p> + +<p>By this time those of our people who had been +most confident in their ability to whip any force +of the Britishers that might be sent against us +were beginning to realize the mistake. Every one +knew that General Marion was a leader who would +willingly take desperate chances, and if he was +doubtful of the issue, then did it seem reasonable +to believe there was good cause for prudence. +Again, Colonel Richardson’s reputation was such +that no person could accuse him of being over-cautious, +and, take it all in all, we of the “ragged +regiment” were coming to understand that while +we had had wonderful success thus far, we were +not as formidable as many had fancied.</p> + +<p>Now, however, we were convinced that a decisive +battle would soon be fought, but it was not +destined that the struggle in the Carolinas should +be brought to so speedy a conclusion.</p> + +<p>Tarleton pursued our “ragged regiment,” having +learned that we were much the same as fleeing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_333">[333]</span> +before him, losing time here and there to burn +dwellings which sheltered only women and children, +until he was come to within less than twelve +miles of our camp, when, to the surprise of enemies +as well as friends, he turned suddenly about, +marching with all speed to Camden.</p> + +<p>It was afterward said by the Tories that Lord +Cornwallis had expressly ordered him to return, +but more than one of our company believed the +red-coated Britisher, who could be so courageous +when he had none but old men, boys, and women +in front of him, was actually afraid to measure +strength in a fair battle with General Marion, and +our spirits rose accordingly.</p> + +<p>While we remained here in camp with safety, +gathering numbers every day, much was done by +our friends in other parts of the State. General +Sumter gave battle to Tarleton at the Blackstock +farm on the banks of the Tyger, defeating him +utterly, but at a terrific loss, so far as the Cause +was concerned. The Britishers had ninety-two +killed and one hundred and four wounded. The +patriots lost only three killed and four wounded, +but in the latter list was the general himself, who +had been severely injured in the breast by a British +bullet. His men, true to him as was our “ragged +regiment” to General Marion, lashed him in the +raw hide of a bullock slung as a litter between two +horses, and thus, guarded by a hundred picked +men, he was carried to the upper part of the State, +where, so we were told, he lay hovering ’twixt life +and death.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_334">[334]</span>At this time, also, was fought the battle of King’s +Mountain, when the British under Major Ferguson +were defeated handsomely, the killed, +wounded, and captured of the enemy amounting +to eleven hundred men, and among the dead was +the major himself.</p> + +<p>And now, after the “ragged regiment” had remained +inactive near two weeks, and the Minute +Boys were eating their hearts out because they +could not go in search of Seth Hastings even at +the risk of meeting Tarleton’s men, our leaders decided +that the time had come when we must show +that lingering long in camp had not made us timid.</p> + +<p>The British post at Georgetown was the one +place which our people of the Carolinas most +needed as a base of operations against Charleston, +and, in fact, to hold our own in the Williamsburg +district. Situated as it was, we were constantly +menaced while the enemy held possession of the +place. In addition to that, it was a depot of supplies +of salt, clothing, and ammunition for the +king’s troops, and the capture of the goods would +be a severe blow to the Britishers.</p> + +<p>To take Georgetown would be an exploit such +as might advantage the Cause more than had the +victory of King’s Mountain, therefore it was to +this end our general proposed to bend all his energies. +It was believed the enemy lay at Georgetown +in great force, perhaps to the number of four +thousand men, and we knew full well the nature +of the fortifications roundabout the post. A direct +assault would have been fatal to us. It was only<span class="pagenum" id="Page_335">[335]</span> +by such methods as had won for our general the +name of “Swamp Fox” that we could succeed, +and, as can well be fancied, none of our people +was averse to the attempt, believing so far as +backwoods strategy was concerned, we were far +superior to any of the king’s forces.</p> + +<p>The first we Minute Boys knew of what it was +proposed to do was when, much to our relief, we +broke camp, carrying with us all our equipage and +so much of provisions as could be gathered, crossing +the Black River at Potato Ferry, thus advancing +toward Georgetown by that road known as +“Gap Way.”</p> + +<p>Now this much as regards Georgetown must be +understood: Three miles from that post is an inland +swamp known as White’s Bay, which, discharging +itself by two mouths, the one into the +Black River and the other into Sampit, completely +cuts off the post, which stands on the north side +of the last named river, near its junction with +Winyaw Bay. Over the creek that empties into +the Sampit is a bridge, two miles from the town.</p> + +<p>Our Minute Boys were in high feather at the +prospect of seeing active service, for we were +weary with loitering in camp and, as a matter of +course, we hoped by taking to the field once more +it would be possible to satisfy the one desire of +our hearts—the recapture of that Tory cur who +had escaped us so readily. In fact, we had come +to think more of taking him, while eating out our +hearts at Benbow’s Ferry, than of what we might +do for the Cause.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_336">[336]</span>There was no need we should be told where an +attack was to be made, once we had come into the +road leading to Georgetown. Every member of +the force knew how eager our commander was to +get possession of that post, and, looking around, I +could see every fellow’s face lighten with joy as +he came to realize that at last we were to try for +so great a stake, instead of spending our time upon +a few squads of Tories.</p> + +<p>From the moment of starting until we halted +in the rear of the swamp known as White’s Bay, +the orders had been strict against straggling, and +it was well known that whosoever should venture +to move out of the line ever so slightly would be +shot down. And this to the end that the traitor +whom we had among us might not be able to ride +on in advance for the purpose of giving information. +Therefore did we feel reasonably sure it +would be possible to come upon the enemy by surprise, +but in case we failed to do so, then the +chances would be heavily against us.</p> + +<p>This last halt placed us within three miles of +Georgetown, and that our commander would make +an effort to ride straight through the Britishers, +trusting to throw them into a panic of fear at the +outset, we had good reason for believing since it +was his favorite method of attack. Proof that this +was to be so came when the word was passed for +every trooper to look carefully after his horse in +anticipation of the work before us, when the speed +of the animals would, perhaps, avail even more than +the accuracy of our aim.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_337">[337]</span>It was near to ten o’clock at night when Captain +Horry in a low voice summoned the men to form +in a square around him and General Marion, to the +end that arrangements be made for the coming +work. When we were thus assembled the captain +said, speaking so that every man might hear:</p> + +<p>“Two squads of twenty men each are needed +for particularly dangerous work such as may, perhaps, +ensure the death of all. Because of this, +volunteers are called for, and I ask that such of +you as are so minded to sacrifice their own lives +for the good of the Cause and safety of the brigade +will step forward two paces.”</p> + +<p>Gabriel, Archie, and myself were standing side +by side at the time, and it was as if each had the +same thought in his mind, for we three moved as +one. Then, turning my head ever so slightly, in +order to learn what the others were doing, a flood +of joy such as was like to have choked me came +into my heart when I saw that every man and boy +among us had advanced two paces, thus showing +that those who followed General Marion were +ready to sacrifice everything, even life itself, for +the advancement of the Cause.</p> + +<p>“You be brave lads, all!” Captain Horry said, +as he looked about him, and there was an expression +of keenest delight on the general’s face. “Your +courage has been proven again and again, and because +of the past every one is entitled to the honor +of sacrificing his life for the others, but only forty +can be used in the movement. Therefore I ask that +such of you as are minded to forego your own desires<span class="pagenum" id="Page_338">[338]</span> +to those of your comrades will step back two +paces.”</p> + +<p>Not a man moved; every trooper remained +firmly in place as if he and he alone should be the +one to give up his life for the others, and among +these brave men our Minute Boys—comrades all +who were destined that night to see one of our +number foully murdered while yet we were powerless +to raise a hand in his defence.</p> + +<p>Then it was General Marion’s turn to speak, and +it seemed to me that his face was actually lighted +up with pleasure as he said in a low tone, but so +clear that we could hear distinctly every word:</p> + +<p>“I have good reason to know how true and +brave are you of the ‘ragged regiment,’ but because +it is possible those who volunteer for this +dangerous service may be cut down to a man, I +cannot allow more than forty to ride on in advance. +Therefore I ask that such of you as have +wives, families, or any helpless ones depending +upon you for support, step back as Captain Horry +has said, for I repeat that those who go take more +than an even chance never to return, and we must +not make more widows and orphans than may be +absolutely necessary to the Cause.”</p> + +<p>Again the men held firm, never one giving way, +although considerably more than half the troopers +were men of families.</p> + +<p>General Marion looked around him again with +pride, and once more he spoke, but this time in a +tone of command:</p> + +<p>“I admit that you have equal right to the honor,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_339">[339]</span> +but a choice must be made, and in making it I +shall show favoritism by selecting those whose +death will be mourned by the fewest. To that end +as your names are called, advance two more +paces.” Then he cried out sharply, “Gabriel +Marion!”</p> + +<p>My heart beat furiously, fearing lest we two lads +were to be separated in the time of danger, but +before there was opportunity to give much heed, +I heard my own name called, and while stepping +proudly forward to the side of our leader, Archie +Gordon was summoned; then the two Marshall +Boys, and the selection from the ranks of the +Minute Boys had been made.</p> + +<p>Beginning with the troopers, General Marion +called first for Master Sawyer, and then rapidly, +as if time was precious, he made up the list until +the forty who were to go, perhaps, down into the +flood of that dark river which lies between us and +the other world, were standing in the centre of the +hollow square triumphantly happy, as if life was +a thing to be thrown heedlessly away, while all +their comrades gazed at them enviously.</p> + +<p>Then it was that Captain Horry stepped in front +of our chosen company, and said almost in a whisper:</p> + +<p>“You know, because of what has been told you, +that the chances are much against your seeing another +sun rise. Therefore I ask if there be any +who have a request to make ere it be too late, +pledging my word that such wishes shall be sacredly +carried out.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_340">[340]</span>There was silence for a minute, and then one +man asked that word might be sent to his people +stating he had volunteered for the service; another +desired that in case he was killed a certain comrade +should care for his horse; and so on until, mayhap, +half a dozen had spoken, and then during a few +seconds was there perfect silence.</p> + +<p>As for myself, I believed we who were thus +chosen would perish in whatsoever of danger there +was before us. It would be a glorious ending of +one’s life, yet as I reflected upon it without the +slightest desire that I might have been among +those who were to remain, I said to myself that +it would be sweet to live until we had thrown off +the king’s yoke. At this moment when we sat +face to face with death, almost feeling the chill +breath from the great white angel’s wings, I was +certain our people would finally win the victory +however many hirelings his Majesty might send +upon us, as I was certain that my life might, within +a very few moments, be the cost of this adventure.</p> + +<p>Then we were told off into two squads of twenty +each, and after this had been done General Marion +said, in a voice which I fancied he had difficulty in +holding firm:</p> + +<p>“While the two squads are acting together +Master Sawyer is to be in command. When you +separate, he is to lead one division, and my brother +the other. In selecting a lad to lead men I know +full well you may raise, and with good reason, the +charge of favoritism, but when I am sending into +most dangerous service the only person left in this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_341">[341]</span> +world whose blood is the same as mine, then do I +believe you readily accord me the poor satisfaction.”</p> + +<p>He waited a moment as if to learn whether there +were any who questioned the wisdom of his decision, +and as no one spoke he turned toward us who +were going, saying firmly, as if having done with +personal feelings:</p> + +<p>“The plan of attack is this: You forty men will +set off at once for Georgetown, advancing with +every care lest you betray to the enemy your movements. +Once having come as near the post as may +be with safety and secrecy, you will divide, one +passing to the right and the other to the left, until +having gained positions nearly opposite on either +side of the camp. If while executing this +manœuvre you find that there has been any material +change in the post, such as reinforcements, or +the throwing up of breastworks, messengers are +to be sent back to the main body at once. Failing +in that, you are to remain in hiding until hearing +a single shot from the direction of this road, when, +without an instant’s delay, you will charge into the +camp, beginning the attack. It is my intention to +offer you as a sacrifice, if so be one is needed, to +the end that you shall keep the enemy employed +until the regiment may fall upon him at his weakest +point.”</p> + +<p>Having said this the general turned away, Captain +Horry following; but those who formed the +hollow square stood in position, gazing at us as if +hoping at the last moment one or more might grow<span class="pagenum" id="Page_342">[342]</span> +weak-kneed, thus giving opportunity for some of +them.</p> + +<p>“It goes without saying that we are to advance +on foot,” Master Sawyer said, addressing us of the +two squads who were drawn up in line. “We are +to make our way around the camp over swampy +land, and surely some of us have had sufficient experience +in trying to get horses across such ground +without needing more, therefore, because the advance +must be slow, I propose that we set off without +further delay.”</p> + +<p>We waited only long enough to get all our equipments, +and while we lads were doing this the remainder +of the Minute Boys crowded around as if +to bid us good-by, but we would have none of it.</p> + +<p>“Words of parting at such a time are not seemly +in the mouths of soldiers,” Gabriel said, as, his +preparations completed, he strode away to where +the volunteers were already standing in line, and +we followed him, I for one thankful because he had +shut off the leave-taking.</p> + +<p>Proud and eager though I was, it would not +have required much just then to weaken me, and +if, peradventure, I was going away from these +comrades for the last time, I desired they should +remember me as one who went forth to duty with +a brave heart.</p> + +<p>I believe the commander must have given certain +orders to those who remained, for when we +formed in line the other portion of the “ragged +regiment” was at the opposite side of the encampment<span class="pagenum" id="Page_343">[343]</span> +busied with various duties as if they had no +part in, or heed to what we were doing.</p> + +<p>We set off in double file, Master Sawyer leading +the way, and because of the possibility that we +might betray our whereabouts, word was passed +that no man speak during the march.</p> + +<p>We went at our best pace, and in little more +than half an hour were come to where we could +see the settlement of Georgetown, with the canvas +tents standing so thickly among the buildings that +it looked like a veritable city.</p> + +<p>Thus far we had met no person, for the night +was well advanced, and when the squads were +divided while we stood within the shelter of the +trees just off the main road, Master Sawyer said +to Gabriel in a whisper:</p> + +<p>“So far as I know there is no choice between +the two positions, lad; but if you have any, say +the word, otherwise we will move as we are standing—you +to the right and I to the left.”</p> + +<p>“Whatever suits you, sir,” Gabriel replied, and +motioning to his squad, Master Sawyer moved off +swiftly, so silently that we who remained would +not have been aware they had left us but for the +passing blotches against the lighter sky, which told +of their march.</p> + +<p>Gabriel did not linger after the others had gone, +and well was it for me, because at such a time, +when we had been warned plainly of the dangers +to be encountered, delay would have soon made me +timorous.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_344">[344]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIX<br> + +<small>A DASTARDLY BLOW</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Now</span> that the task which I set myself is well-nigh +done, and I am come to the point of relating that +which has caused me more sorrow than I can ever +know again, I am at a loss how to go about it.</p> + +<p>Inclination prompts me to hasten over the sad +story for my own relief, and yet the memory of +that lad, which will ever live green in my heart, +demands that I do whatsoever I may, to the end +that others may know how one devoted friend to +the Cause was sent into the Beyond by the most +dastardly blow ever dealt.</p> + +<p>To begin at the moment when Gabriel led us +around the encampment: The way was difficult; +owing to the darkness we could not choose our +path, but must flounder on as best we might, clinging +to the branches of trees here and there, forcing +a way through thickets that we might find a firmer +foothold upon the roots of the bushes, and although +we could have had less than half a mile to +advance, I believe we spent nearly two hours in +the task, because to the necessity of moving as +silently as possible, was added the roughness of the +way.</p> + +<p>Then we came, as nearly as could be judged, to +the point spoken of by General Marion. We were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_345">[345]</span> +at the very edge of the swamp, within less than +three hundred yards of a blockhouse where it +might well be supposed a large number of Britishers +would be found.</p> + +<p>“Why should we not move two hundred paces +farther on?” some one asked. “Before we could +make any showing whatsoever from here, those +in yonder blockhouse would be able to shoot us +down to the last man.”</p> + +<p>“It is here, as I believe, that General Marion +intended we should go in,” Gabriel replied, “and +because we are opposite the blockhouse will it be +possible for us to attract the attention of the greatest +number of the enemy, which is all we have +been sent to do.”</p> + +<p>After that no one made objections to our station. +It was seemingly the place where death would come +quickly, and that was evidently what had been intended +for us.</p> + +<p>After thus taking station there was nothing to +do save await the signal, and we assembled on the +firm ground within shelter of the foliage, every +fellow gripping his musket tightly, I fancied, even +as I did mine.</p> + +<p>As the minutes wore away we began to believe +that we had gotten into position sooner than the +commander had anticipated, and I sorrowed because +of such fact. To charge the camp, to feel +the intoxication born of powder fumes, to struggle +desperately to best the enemy and fall while so +doing, was far easier than standing there idle with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_346">[346]</span> +ample time in which to think of what must be the +end.</p> + +<p>Perhaps some such idea was in Gabriel’s mind, +for after a time he said, speaking in a low tone as +he laid his hand affectionately on my shoulder:</p> + +<p>“Perhaps it will never again be our good fortune +to have such an opportunity of proving our +mettle as is given this night. Now I am in no wise +eager for death, but in my mind there is little fear +that the end be near at hand. Even if the odds are +so strong against us, we shall take this post of +Georgetown, as I firmly believe. My brother is +a careful, prudent soldier, never taking upon himself +a task which is without hope, although there +are many times when it has seemed so to be. We +shall capture Georgetown, lads, and if either of us +fails to come out alive, we have the proud satisfaction +of knowing that, whatsoever befalls the +Cause, our names must live among those who gave +up everything for freedom.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, but this is not the time for such +speeches,” Archie Gordon said nervously, and had +I not known the boy so well I might have believed +he was afraid. “It is no proof that his courage +is greatest who speaks very much regarding the +future.”</p> + +<p>“Meaning by such speech that I had best hold +my tongue?” Gabriel said with a laugh. “Perhaps +you are right, yet there is upon me the inclination +to speak of what we have ventured, in +order that I may be the better able to appreciate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_347">[347]</span> +life after it has been offered as a sacrifice and +refused.”</p> + +<p>“I guarantee once we are come out from this +expedition you will not need anything of the past +to make you understand that we ventured into the +very shadow of death. I realize without being told +that ours is as desperate an undertaking as a man +can well imagine—”</p> + +<p>“Now your words are more ill-timed than Gabriel’s!” +I interrupted, for between the two of them +the cold chill of fear was beginning to run up and +down my spine.</p> + +<p>Gabriel, heedless of this interruption, continued +to speak of the future as if we had no part in the +present, and while he talked, even though his hand +was still upon my shoulder, I ceased to hear, for +my thoughts were gone out to that which lay +directly before us.</p> + +<p>I had never before advanced against an enemy +on foot, and the fact of being without a horse gave +me a sense of uneasiness. Certain it is that my +courage did not fail me, even though I was growing +timorous. My hand was trembling with excitement, +and my mouth parched and dry as if I +had been many hours without water.</p> + +<p>Gabriel had just taken my hand in his as if +realizing that I was giving no heed to what he +said, when a single shot rang out, sounding in my +ear as loud as a cannon, and it was as if the very +air was aquiver with the reverberation when Gabriel +cried:</p> + +<p>“Now, lads, shoulder to shoulder, and remember<span class="pagenum" id="Page_348">[348]</span> +that so long as we can keep on our feet to +discharge a weapon, so much more of aid are we +giving to those who depend upon us!”</p> + +<p>For the instant I saw nothing, had difficulty in +moving my feet, and then the pressure of Gabriel’s +shoulder on one side and Archie’s on the other +brought me to my senses, causing me to realize that +if I failed ever so slightly in the task which was +before us then was shame come upon all the Minute +Boys of South Carolina.</p> + +<p>But the enemy must have been on the alert—must +have had some inkling that an attack was +intended, for the report of the musket, which was +our signal, seemed to be theirs also. Before we +had taken twenty paces a mass of men began to +pour out of the blockhouse like bees from a hive, +and I heard one, most like an officer, cry sharply:</p> + +<p>“Halt! Make ready!”</p> + +<p>Before he could speak another word Gabriel +cried:</p> + +<p>“Fire, lads! Fire, and then drop to the +ground!”</p> + +<p>We got in our volley, and were lying at full +length reloading our weapons, when the British +bullets whistled over our backs.</p> + +<p>Gabriel and I both succeeded in recharging our +muskets and rising on one knee, before the redcoats +were upon us with bayonets. It needed not the +word of command to induce me to fire again, for +in another instant that bristling line of steel would +have been stopped only by our bodies.</p> + +<p>I fired, as did a dozen or more of my comrades,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_349">[349]</span> +and that we took good aim even in the excitement +could be told by the fact that the redcoats halted, +and wavered for an instant as if on the verge of a +panic. I dare venture to say that if there had been +another squad of twenty immediately at our backs +we might have driven those soldiers of the king’s +into their blockhouse again, thereby gaining just +so much more time for our regiment, which, as +we could hear by the report of the firing, had already +begun the attack.</p> + +<p>Again the Britishers came at us, and by this +time the remainder of our party succeeded in getting +their muskets ready.</p> + +<p>Once more the enemy faltered, and we strove +all in vain to reload before they could come upon +us.</p> + +<p>Then they closed in, and we struck aside their +bayonets with the butts of our muskets, until it became +a hand-to-hand struggle, each trying to preserve +his own life and take that of his adversary.</p> + +<p>A big fellow, trussed up with so much finery that +he must perforce have found it difficult to move +quickly, seemed to have singled me out, and in +order to prevent him from running me through, +I grappled him by the throat. We fell to the +ground, I uppermost, as I strove to throttle him, +using every effort to get my hands down beneath +the leathern stock he wore, when I heard a cry +which I fancied was uttered by Archie Gordon, +and it came from the lips of one who was dying.</p> + +<p>Dimly, as if in a dream, I realized that everything +depended upon our prolonging the fight until<span class="pagenum" id="Page_350">[350]</span> +our people at the front could work their way well +into the encampment, and clenched my teeth to +repress a cry of pain when the fellow beneath me, +having unfastened his bayonet, thrust it through +my leg. I tried to put into my fingers all the +strength of my body, believing that if I could kill +this hireling of the king’s at once I might have +yet remaining sufficient life to grapple another, +thus continuing the struggle so many seconds +longer.</p> + +<p>Whether I gave him his quietus, or he succeeded +in slipping out from my grasp, I cannot say, but +certain it is that after a time, not knowing what +had been done, and realizing nothing whatsoever +of that which was going on about me, I found myself +confronting another man. At the same time +I heard, as if from afar, the thundering of horses’ +hoofs, and mingled with the noise the words of +Gabriel:</p> + +<p>“We surrender! Throw down your arms, lads! +There is no reason why we should sacrifice our +lives uselessly.”</p> + +<p>I believe it was the word “surrender” from his +lips which brought me to my senses, even as a +douche of cold water brings the blood to the surface +of the body, and on the instant I saw and +understood all the situation.</p> + +<p>The enemy must have believed we were the +advance of a large force, for in addition to those +whom we had seen come from out the blockhouse, +a full hundred mounted men were riding toward +us. Even though we had struggled on regardless<span class="pagenum" id="Page_351">[351]</span> +of life, no more than ten seconds would have remained +for resistance.</p> + +<p>Seeing this, I let my hands fall idly by my side, +and stepped somewhat behind Gabriel, not, as God +knows, with any idea that his body should shelter +mine, but because he was the leader, and it was +for him to speak. I also desired that those minions +of the king who fancied two or three hundred all +insufficient a force to cope with twenty men and +boys, should see how young our leader was.</p> + +<p>It was not Archie Gordon’s death-cry I had +heard, but some other, for on the instant Archie +stood by my side, and from the tremor of his voice +I knew how near his eyelids the tears were brought +because we had not been able to do more, as he +said:</p> + +<p>“There are less than half of us yet alive, and +I question, Rufus, whether we were wise to surrender.”</p> + +<p>“When Gabriel gave the command we had no +choice, and what profits it we should have stood +up a few seconds longer? The fight is well on, +and we have done our part, not as we would have +liked, but to the best of our strength.”</p> + +<p>There were only six of us out of the twenty +left alive to surrender, when Gabriel gave the command, +and in front of the little party I dare venture +to say were no less than two hundred of the +enemy. A gallant victory for them in good sooth, +and a glorious victory for us, insomuch as we had +held this number away, for however short a time,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_352">[352]</span> +from the path of those who followed General Marion.</p> + +<p>While one might have counted twenty we stood +there facing them in the gloom, which was rapidly +decreasing because of the fires which sprung up +here and there, showing that a certain number of +the enemy had been told off to build them when +an attack was made, and then from some one amid +the throng, an officer, of course, came the word:</p> + +<p>“Advance, you rebels, and show yourselves!”</p> + +<p>Why we were put on parade at such a time, when +it was for them a pitiful victory, mayhap thirty or +forty to one, I could not fancy, but it behoved us +as prisoners to obey, and so we did.</p> + +<p>Gabriel strode forward proudly, as if he had +little heed what might be done with him, we following +until having come within four or five paces of +the man who had given the command, when suddenly +there was a disturbance among those directly +facing us, and then from out the mass of armed +men came that sneaking, traitorous cur, Seth Hastings!</p> + +<p>A cry of delight burst from his lips as he recognized +Gabriel, and I, unable to hold my peace because +of the anger which surged through my heart +at sight of him, cried to the officer who had thus +put his six prisoners on exhibition:</p> + +<p>“If the king must needs have such as that miserable +Tory’s aid before he can whip us of the Carolinas, +do not put us to torture by allowing him +here! We will take whatsoever of punishment you +may inflict, save the sight of that sneak!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_353">[353]</span>It was even while I spoke, and for this shall I +never cease to blame myself, because, had I not +allowed the rage in my heart to overpower me, I +might perchance have done something toward +warding off that dastardly blow. It was, as I say, +even while I spoke that the traitorous reptile seized +a sabre from the hand of the man nearest him, and +running swiftly forward while Gabriel’s face was +turned toward the officer, raised the blade, bringing +it down on the dear lad’s head with all his strength, +cleaving the entire skull.</p> + +<p>I quivered in impotent rage as I pushed wildly +forward, seeing nothing, but having before my eyes +that which was like unto drops of blood, and more +than that of my own knowledge I cannot tell.</p> + +<p>Archie Gordon has said that I fell upon that +Tory villain before a finger could be raised to stay +me, and without weapon, save only my naked +hands, I sent his soul into that torment which I +firmly believe is to be his forever more.</p> + +<p>Nor could the Britishers make a move toward +separating me from the lifeless body of him who +had killed the bravest lad that ever lived among +us, for at that moment our people made a charge +straight through the encampment, and we who a +moment before had been prisoners were left to our +own devices.</p> + +<p>I know nothing whatsoever of that which followed. +Rage and grief had kindly deprived me +of my senses, and I was spared the knowledge, for +the time being, that our adventure, from which we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_354">[354]</span> +hoped so much, was come to naught within ten +minutes after our dear lad’s murder.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Even now, after we have seen a new nation +spring into existence, having had a hand in the +making of it—after we are enjoying the repose +which follows a well-earned victory, my heart is +too sore because of that dastardly blow struck by +the cur, Seth Hastings, to permit of my setting +down that which the Minute Boys did when Gabriel +Marion was no longer with us.</p> + +<p>Much against my will, the lads made me their +leader, and before the struggle for independence +was come to a glorious end, the company numbered +a hundred strong. Therefore do I see another +reason why I should leave to some one else the +task of depicting what we did in aid of the Cause +before the king was ready to sue for peace.</p> + +<p>Hence it is that I shall copy down here the account +of our movements in the Carolinas, after +that day when Gabriel left us forever in this world, +as it has been written by one whose trade it is to +write the history of our country, only adding to his +words the explanation that the Minute Boys of +South Carolina remained under command of Francis +Marion until the united Colonies were acknowledged +as a free nation by all the rulers of the +world:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p>“After his discomfiture at Georgetown, Marion +retired to Snow’s Island, where he fixed his camp +and secured it by such works of art as the absence<span class="pagenum" id="Page_355">[355]</span> +of natural defences required. Because of the murder +of the general’s brother, the battle cry of the +ragged regiment ever was, ‘No quarter for +Tories!’</p> + +<p>“From Snow’s Island Marion sent out his scouts +in every direction, and there he planned some of +his boldest expeditions. Reinforcements came, and +at the close of 1780, Marion was strong enough +to confront any British detachments then abroad +from headquarters.</p> + +<p>“While Greene’s army was approaching the +Pedee early in 1781, Marion was very active abroad +from his camp, at which he always left a sufficient +garrison for its defence. Here and there he was +smiting detachments of the British army, and when +Lee, who had been sent by Greene to join him with +a part of his legion, sought for Marion, it was with +great difficulty he could be found, for his rapid +marshes were in the midst of vast swamps. As +soon as the junction was consummated, these brave +partisans planned an expedition against the British +post at Georgetown, ... nothing was effected beyond +the capture of the commandant and a few +privates, and slaying some stragglers, yet the enterprise +was not fruitless of good to the patriot +Cause.</p> + +<p>“After resting a few hours, Marion and Lee +moved rapidly up the north bank of the Santee, +toward Nelson’s Ferry, to surprise Colonel Watson, +who had taken post there. That officer, informed +of his approach, ... hastened on toward +Camden. At this time Greene was commencing his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_356">[356]</span> +famous retreat, and summoned Lee with his whole +legion to meet him at Guilford.</p> + +<p>“The departure of Lee greatly weakened Marion’s +force. Yet he was not less active than before, +and his enterprises were generally more important +and successful. He sent out small detachments +of Minute Boys—lads of the Carolinas—to +beat up Tory camps and recruiting stations, +wherever they might be found....</p> + +<p>“Toward the last of January (1781), we find +the blacksmith of Kingstree forging saws into +rough broadswords for a corps of cavalry which +Marion placed in command of Colonel Peter Horry. +In February, Horry is observed eastward of the +Pedee battling with Tories and British regulars.... +Everywhere was the name of Marion feared, +and the presence of his men was dreaded by the +opponents of the patriot Cause.</p> + +<p>“In the spring of 1781 Colonel Watson was +sent with a select corps of five hundred men to +attempt the destruction of Marion’s brigade. The +advanced guards of Marion, under Colonel Horry, +met the advance of the enemy, and the patriots were +obliged to fall back in the direction of Williamsburg.... +For ten days the British force remained +stationary, continually annoyed by Marion, until +the commander was obliged to choose between certain +destruction in detail, or attempt boldly to fight +his way to Georgetown. He decided upon the latter +course, and at midnight he fled. Marion pursued, +fell upon him at Sampit bridge, near Georgetown, +and smote many of his wearied soldiers.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_357">[357]</span> +The British commander escaped to Georgetown +with the remnant of his army, complaining that +Marion would not ‘fight like a gentleman or a +Christian.’</p> + +<p>“Sad intelligence now reached Marion. The +Tory colonel, Doyle, had penetrated to his camp on +Snow’s Island, destroyed his provisions and stores, +dispersed the little garrison, and then marched up +Lynch’s Creek. Marion pursued the marauder +until he was informed that Doyle had destroyed +all his heavy baggage, and had the advantage of +a day’s march on the road to Camden. Marion +wheeled, and hastened, through the overflowed +swamps, to confront Watson, who was again in +motion with fresh troops, and had encamped upon +Catfish Creek, near the present Marion Court-house. +Our partisan encamped within five miles of him, +and there he was joined by Lee. This junction +alarmed Watson. He destroyed his heavy baggage, +wheeled his field-pieces into Catfish Creek, and fled +by a circuitous route toward Georgetown.</p> + +<p>“In May, we find Marion hanging upon the rear +of Lord Rawdon on his retreat from Nelson’s +Ferry toward Charleston, and from that time until +the siege of Ninety-six, he was often with Sumter +and Colonel Washington, watching the enemy’s +movements near the Santee and Edisto, and cutting +off supplies and intelligence from Cruger.</p> + +<p>“In June, Marion took possession of Georgetown, +the garrison fleeing down Winyaw Bay after +a slight resistance. He could not garrison it, so<span class="pagenum" id="Page_358">[358]</span> +he moved the stores up to his old encampment on +Snow’s Island....</p> + +<p>“Marion took the leading part in the discomfiture +of Colonel Coates, at a loss to himself of +seventy killed and wounded. Later he nearly +wiped out Major Fraser’s force of five hundred +men, and would have completed the victory but +for lack of ammunition. In this case the loss of +the British was severe, while Marion was not bereft +of a man. He took a glorious part in the +battle of Eutaw, and then retired to the recesses of +a cane-brake on Santee River Swamp to await +further opportunity.</p> + +<p>“From this time until the evacuation of Charleston +Marion’s brigade confined their operations to +the vicinity of Charleston. Elected to a seat in the +Assembly at Jacksonborough, Marion left the +brigade in command of Colonel Horry. Previous +to his departure he had a severe skirmish near +Monk’s Corner, with three hundred regulars and +Tories, who came up from Charleston to surprise +him. He repulsed them, but soon afterward, while +he was absent, a larger force under Colonel Thompson +attacked his brigade near the Santee. Fortunately +he arrived during the engagement, but not +in time to prevent the defeat and partial dispersion +of his beloved troops. The remnant of his brigade +rallied around him, and he retired beyond the +Santee to recruit and reorganize.</p> + +<p>“Early in April, 1782, Marion attacked a force +of more than five hundred Tories under Major +Gainey, and whipped them so thoroughly that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_359">[359]</span> +Gainey, thoroughly humbled, joined the patriot +force. From that time until Charleston was evacuated +(December 14, 1782), the Swamp Fox continued +on the aggressive, making his name, and +that of his followers, particularly the Minute Boys, +now grown to a brigade of more than three hundred, +feared by Britisher and Tory alike.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="center">THE END.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="transnote"> +<p class="ph1">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> + +<p>Perceived typographical errors have been corrected.</p> + +<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> + +<p>Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.</p> +</div></div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76504 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/76504-h/images/cover.jpg b/76504-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..660a24a --- /dev/null +++ b/76504-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/76504-h/images/coversmall.jpg b/76504-h/images/coversmall.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..96eab4d --- /dev/null +++ b/76504-h/images/coversmall.jpg diff --git a/76504-h/images/deco.jpg b/76504-h/images/deco.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..294969a --- /dev/null +++ b/76504-h/images/deco.jpg diff --git a/76504-h/images/decoline.jpg b/76504-h/images/decoline.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ae266d0 --- /dev/null +++ b/76504-h/images/decoline.jpg diff --git a/76504-h/images/i_f004.jpg b/76504-h/images/i_f004.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6a1d03e --- /dev/null +++ b/76504-h/images/i_f004.jpg diff --git a/76504-h/images/i_f005.jpg b/76504-h/images/i_f005.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..69a8851 --- /dev/null +++ b/76504-h/images/i_f005.jpg diff --git a/76504-h/images/i_f005a.jpg b/76504-h/images/i_f005a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..89efcc8 --- /dev/null +++ b/76504-h/images/i_f005a.jpg diff --git a/76504-h/images/i_p032a.jpg b/76504-h/images/i_p032a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c51fc0c --- /dev/null +++ b/76504-h/images/i_p032a.jpg diff --git a/76504-h/images/i_p080a.jpg b/76504-h/images/i_p080a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8538226 --- /dev/null +++ b/76504-h/images/i_p080a.jpg diff --git a/76504-h/images/i_p112a.jpg b/76504-h/images/i_p112a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..81c42b4 --- /dev/null +++ b/76504-h/images/i_p112a.jpg diff --git a/76504-h/images/i_p122a.jpg b/76504-h/images/i_p122a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6f2980c --- /dev/null +++ b/76504-h/images/i_p122a.jpg diff --git a/76504-h/images/i_p196a.jpg b/76504-h/images/i_p196a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..76763d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/76504-h/images/i_p196a.jpg diff --git a/76504-h/images/i_p264a.jpg b/76504-h/images/i_p264a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..67b340e --- /dev/null +++ b/76504-h/images/i_p264a.jpg diff --git a/76504-h/images/i_p314a.jpg b/76504-h/images/i_p314a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a22b2b2 --- /dev/null +++ b/76504-h/images/i_p314a.jpg |
