The Boy Spies with the Regulators
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Master Howell himself seconded the proposition, kindly stating that he desired no abler escort than our two selves, and thus was the matter settled, much to my satisfaction, even though there was more than the shadow of a suspicion in my mind as to the reception with which we might meet.
The Regulation also decided that we four should set out as soon as Master Malichi Tyke had made a fair copy of the petition, and he was so expeditious with the work that everything was in readiness for our departure on the following morning.
We had before us a ride of about two hundred miles, and to Sidney and me, who had never before traveled an eighth part of that distance from home, the journey offered much in the way of novelty.
There were no preparations to be made save saddling our horses: we would sleep wheresoever night overtook us, and procure food at such dwellings as we came across, or, failing in this, depend upon finding game enough to satisfy our wants.
"Remember that Masters Howell and Hunter are to be obeyed strictly by you, lads," my father said to us as we were saddling the steeds, "and do not put me to shame by behaving other than as gentlemen."
As a matter of course we promised faithfully to heed his words, and with high anticipations set off, riding immediately behind those whom we were supposed to guard.
During this first day, when we were yet within our own home neighborhood, the ride was without especial incident, save that at nightfall, when we were encamped in a lean-to which Sidney and I had put up while the gentlemen were cooking a couple of hares I had killed late in the afternoon, Master Howell amused himself with writing the verses I shall set down below, and which I afterward saw in a pamphlet entitled "A Fan for Fanning," that had been printed in Boston in 1771:
"When Fanning first to Orange came,He looked both pale and wan;An old patched coat upon his back —An old mare he rode on."Both man and mare wa'n't worth five pounds,As I've been often told,But by his civil robberiesHe's laced his coat with gold."When these lines had been read to us Master Hunter declared that it was no more than right Master Howell should touch up Thomas Frohock, who, as clerk of the Superior Court in Salisbury, had done quite as much as Fanning to extort money from the people, and then it was that our deputy wrote these verses, which were afterward published in the same pamphlet of which I have spoken:
"Says Fanning to Frohock, to tell the plain truth,When I came to this country I was but a youth;Me father sent for me; I wa'n't worth a cross,And then my first study was to steal for a horse.I quickly got credit, and then ran away,And haven't paid for him to this very day."Says Fanning to Frohock, 'tis a folly to lie;I rode an old mare that was blind of an eye;Five shillings in money I had in my purse,My coat it was patched, but not much the worse:But now we've got rich, and 'tis very well knownThat we'll do very well if they'll let us alone."Master Howell laughingly said that as poetry the verses were of little account; but the sentiment could not be bettered, according to my ideas, and before we went to sleep that night I could repeat the lines without missing a word.
We set out on our journey next morning shortly after sunrise, and, just before noon, when we were looking for a place in which to camp, two men, attended by a negro slave, undertook to make us explain our business.
The whites had halted in the middle of the road, with the black immediately behind them, and when we advanced made a great showing of pistols.
"Halt, gentlemen, and make us acquainted with your destination and your purpose in traveling this way!" one of them cried peremptorily, and in a twinkling Sidney and I, who were slightly in the rear of the deputies, had our rifles ready for use.
"Why shall we make explanations to you or any other in the Carolinas?" Master Hunter cried angrily.
"Fair and softly, good sir," the spokesman said, looking well to the priming of his weapon. "We are told that there are in the Carolinas those who speak against his majesty the king, and with such as they we would have a few words."
"Except we are so minded, you will have no words with us," Master Howell said sharply, and I observed that he was fingering his revolver as if itching to draw it from the holster.
"You will at least explain from what part of the colony you have lately come," the stranger said, this time speaking in a more gentle tone.
"I am willing to give you so much information as that; but no more, for I deny that any person, save the king's representatives, have the right to question me. We are lately from Hillsborough."
The two strangers exchanged glances, and he who had first spoken said quietly:
"I have heard that the good people near there talk of banding together to resist the king's officers in their duty of collecting lawful taxes."
"It can now be seen how much the governor's secretary meant when he gave us such fair promises," Sidney whispered. "Edwards himself has sent these fellows in advance to prevent us from going to Brunswick."
There was much the same thought in my own mind; but I made no answer just then, for the very good reason that Master Hunter was replying to what was little less than a question.
"Our people have banded together; but it is for the purpose of declaring ourselves against unlawful taxation."
"And you are one of the so-called Regulators, I may suppose?" the stranger said with a sneer.
Sidney and I moved nearer until we were almost side by side with our deputies, for now did it seem certain that we were fallen upon those who would make trouble.
"We have not come out either for the purpose of discussing politics with strangers, or indulging in a brawl," Master Hunter said stoutly, drawing his pistols deliberately. "It is our purpose to ride forward without too great delay, and if you oppose us the blood which is shed will be upon your heads."
"Might it not interest you to know who we are?" the stranger asked menacingly.
"Not a whit; we are peaceful travelers who pursue our journey without molesting any man who does not seek a brawl. We shall go forward at whatever cost."
Now it was that I believed a fight would be begun in a twinkling, and my rifle was raised, ready to do my share, when we heard the trampling of horses' hoofs in the distance.
"There is some treachery afoot," Master Howell said in a low tone. "These fellows have kept us in conversation until the remainder of the party can come up. It would be useless to oppose an overwhelming force."
"True," Master Hunter added, and then, as if seized by a sudden thought, he added in a low tone to me, who sat nearest him, "You two lads may perchance escape and carry to our companions of the association the information of our trouble. Back your horses off till you are partially screened by the trees, and then ride at full speed."
"There are four of us, and each one ready to give a good account of himself," Sidney said, much as if he was eager to take part in a fray where blood must inevitably be spilled.
"Do not stop to argue, lad. It is necessary the Regulation know that our passage is barred by some treachery of Edwards and Fanning, and you must carry the news."
I remembered what my father had said, and pulled my horse back, step by step, until he was amid the bushes that bordered the road on either side.
The strangers gave but little heed to my maneuvers, probably because they believed that a lad like me was of but little importance as compared with the deputies – I had no doubt but that they were acquainted with the purpose of Masters Howell and Hunter – and, therefore, I was soon partially screened from view.
Sidney delayed until a party of horsemen numbering four or five came into view, and then he wheeled around suddenly, riding at full speed past me as a couple of pistol balls whistled by his head.
I joined him, as may be supposed, and we rode at a sharp pace for a mile or more, when we pulled up as if by common consent.
No chase had been given, and thus was I all the more strongly convinced that these highwaymen knew full well who were acting as deputies of the Regulation.
We two lads looked at each other in silence as our horses came to a standstill, and not until perhaps a minute had passed did we speak.
"The Regulators did well to listen to such knaves as Edwards and Fanning!" Sidney said angrily. "We should have released the prisoners when it was in our power. Now the poor men will remain in jail until the brute Tryon gets tired of holding them."
"It is childish to cry over spilled milk!" I replied, angry because my comrade was inclined to give way to repinings when they could be of no avail. "It is our duty to get speech with Master Hamilton without delay."
"Yes," Sidney cried scornfully, "and while we are riding toward Maddock's Mill, where I question if any of the Regulators can be found, those scoundrels will carry our companions to some jail in which they may die before we learn of their whereabouts."
"We can only do as Master Hunter commanded," I replied meekly, realizing the truth of all Sidney had said.
"I don't count on anything of the kind; but intend to turn back."
"To what purpose?" I cried, now thoroughly alarmed, for I knew my comrade well enough to understand that he did not make such assertions without fully intending to carry out whatever plan might be in his head.
"It stands to reason that those fellows who have taken the deputies prisoners came from near about Hillsborough, in which case they will camp somewhere on the road to-night. It is not probable they count two lads as of any great importance, and will never suspect us of coming back once we get away."
"Well?" I asked, determined that he should unfold his scheme without assistance from me.
"I shall turn back, follow those fellows if possible, and try to come upon them unawares to-night, when there should be a chance to aid our friends."
"Suppose you fail?" I asked, turning over in my mind the possibilities of his being able to accomplish anything of importance.
"If I find that they are on the alert against a rescue, or if there are too many, it will yet be time to turn my horse's head toward Maddock's Mill."
CHAPTER IV
THE RESCUE
When Sidney had thus announced his purpose I asked myself what might be the chances of success, and after due reflection it appeared to me as if the possibilities were rather in his favor, because it did not seem probable the royalists would anticipate any attempt at a rescue.
They must have overheard the command given us to ride back with all speed, and could hardly suppose two lads like ourselves would take the chances of making an attack, therefore we were likely to find them off their guard.
Yes, so I decided, the scheme might be worked if we proceed cautiously, and even in case we found it impossible to do anything, the delay would be trifling, provided Sidney was willing to give over the effort if a rescue could not be brought about that same night, therefore I asked:
"Will you agree to set your horse's head toward Maddock's Mill by sunrise, in case you fail in the purpose during this night?"
"Yes, that much I promise, for I'm of the opinion that unless the work can be done before to-morrow morning there is no chance for us to carry it through without assistance."
"Then I shall do what I may toward aiding you."
He clasped me by the hand, saying as he did so:
"I knew full well you would not ride away and leave me to make the venture alone."
"I am taking no part in it save as your assistant. You are the leader, and I shall simply obey orders, because I have no head for such work, while you are a born soldier."
Sidney laughed loud and long at my words, and said when it was possible for him to speak:
"Now you are talking nonsense. If we free Masters Howell and Hunter from the governor's friends, it will simply be a case of good fortune, rather than anything deserved because of the intellect brought to bear on the matter. Let us make camp here for a time; the horses need rest and food."
"Are you not afraid that our enemies will get too much the start on us?"
"I am reckoning that we were near their camping-place when the two showed themselves. If they count on carrying our friends back to Hillsborough to give them quarters with Masters Husband and William Hunter, this road is the one they must take, and we shall see the party ride by. In case they have a comfortable halting place, I am counting that the return journey will not be begun until to-morrow morning."
I understood from this remark that Sidney had already settled all the details in his mind, and, therefore, since I refused to take any part in making his plans, there was nothing for me to do save patiently hold my tongue.
We unsaddled the horses, led them into the forest where was a small clearing covered with rich grass, and made a hearty dinner for ourselves from the contents of our haversacks.
When this was done we had nothing with which to occupy our attention, save the task of keeping watch over the highway to make certain the enemy did not pass without our knowledge.
Although I had so readily agreed to aid my comrade, I was far from feeling comfortable in mind regarding the outcome. I knew full well that even in event of success we must run many chances of losing our lives, for now that the royalists had begun to make prisoners of citizens of the Carolinas without legal warrant, they would not hesitate to take the lives of two lads who might interfere with their plans.
To risk our lives in a battle where glory might be won, was one thing; but to be killed like thieves in the night, when none of our friends would be able to say whether we died like heroes or cowards was quite another matter.
Do not let it be understood that I was regretting having agreed to the venture; on the contrary, I would have acted in the same manner had the question been put at that late moment, yet I weighed the possibilities once more, and found them less promising than when first considering the proposition.
We did not indulge in conversation to any extent during that afternoon. Now and then Sidney spoke of the treachery displayed by Master Edwards, and the possible fate of the deputies in case we failed to rescue them; but for the greater portion of the time we remained silent, each giving way, perhaps, to gloomy forebodings.
The sun was no more than an hour high when my comrade said as he rose to his feet and set off toward the clearing where the horses had been left:
"I reckon the time has come for us to make a start. We'll ride to the place where the villains met us, and then you shall take to the woods with the horses, while I follow the trail on foot."
"Why should we not boldly ride down the road until we find ourselves somewhere near their camping-place?" I asked, even after having promised myself to take no part in the plan of rescue.
"Because I'm of the opinion that we shall find the villains within half a mile or less of where we were halted, and it would be a most serious mistake to let them see us."
As he had proposed so we did, and I soon had good reason for congratulating myself that my advice was not taken.
The hoof-prints of the horses told us plainly when we were come to the scene of the encounter, and then, leading both animals, I struck into the woods, advancing slowly because of the underbrush, while my comrade pushed rapidly ahead.
The night had not yet come when Sidney returned, and as I involuntarily came to a halt he whispered:
"They are camped half a mile further on. There are six horses picketed near by, in addition to those ridden by the deputies, therefore I reckon that the odds are not heavily against us."
"Did you see our friends?"
"Yes; they are in a lean-to, tied, and guarded by the negro. We can take the horses within two hundred yards of the place, where is a good bit of grass which will keep them quiet; but it is well to wait here a couple of hours."
Once more we came to a halt, and while waiting until the time for action should come I asked Sidney to tell me how he proposed to set about the rescue.
"I shall find no fault with your plans, for you are the leader; but it is necessary I know fully your purpose, in order to play my part properly."
"We'll leave our horses hobbled, so that we may unfasten them quickly. Then, say in two hours, you and I are to creep around to where their animals are tethered. We must procure two, with saddles and bridles, and bring them to where ours are. Not till then are we to give the deputies any idea of our having disobeyed orders. We should be able to get them away safely, and a start of five minutes will be enough. The rising of the moon is to be our signal for work."
"What about the negro who is on guard?"
"Unless he is different from every other black I ever saw, he will be asleep. If not, or if one of the white men has taken his place, we must fall upon him in such a way that he can make no noise, after which a gag will do the rest."
"Where are the others?"
"In a lean-to nearer the road, and a good fifty yards from where our friends are lying."
The two hours which followed were the longest I have ever known, although since that time I have been engaged in many and more dangerous ventures. Each second seemed like a minute, and I began to think that we had been mistaken in the belief that the moon rose at ten minutes past nine o'clock. The soughing of the wind through the trees sounded in my ears like a prophecy of evil, and the cry of a night-bird came to me like the shout of an enemy.
Had we been forced to remain there inactive an hour longer, I believe of a verity that the courage would have oozed out of my finger-ends entirely; but, fortunately, before I was overcome by timorousness the time for action had arrived.
Sidney led the way through the underbrush, gliding noiselessly along as if we were stalking a deer, and I copied his every movement.
In order to get at the horses we were forced to make a detour through the forest to the rear of the place where the deputies were held prisoners, and this required a good half hour of most laborious work.
Once we were there, however, it became evident that the royalists counted on beginning a journey very shortly, for the animals were not only saddled, but bridled, and we understood that the remainder of our task must be performed quickly, or it might chance that our enemies took to the road before we could warn Masters Howell and Hunter of the help which was near at hand.
Now we did not dare carry our plan to the extent of taking the animals over to where our steeds were hobbled; but fastened them by the bridles in the rear of the lean-to, and then crept cautiously forward.
It was so dark in this place, owing to the foliage, that although the moon was half an inch high, we could not distinguish objects five paces distant, and Sidney let the way by the sense of touch, rather than because of any aid from his eyes.
When we were close at the rear of the lean-to I could hear the sound of heavy breathing; but nothing more, and Sidney whispered in my ear:
"I will make my way through the brush, and you are to wait here. If I should be captured, do your best to carry the information to Maddock's Mill. Don't try to aid me."
I made up my mind on the instant that I would do my full share in a fight before leaving the brave lad to his fate, and as the thought formed itself in my mind he disappeared through the branches which went to make up the shelter.
I listened with painful intentness; but could hear no more than a faint rustling of the brush, and then a man crept slowly out into my arms.
It was Master Howell, and when I would have conducted him to where the horses were tethered, he motioned for me to remain quiet.
Another moment of most painful suspense, during which my heart beat so loudly that it seemed certain our enemies would be aroused by the noise, and then Master Hunter appeared, followed closely by Sidney.
We four crept softly to where the two horses were standing, and my comrade explained to the deputies that we must keep within the thicket until having come to where our steeds had been left.
"We had best turn in the other direction, keeping under cover until you ride by, when we can dash out," Master Howell said, and I was mystified by his words.
"But we shall not ride past here," Sidney replied in a cautious tone. "To do so would be going directly away from Maddock's Mill!"
"Our destination is Brunswick," Master Howell said, as if that was sufficient explanation.
"Brunswick!" I repeated in astonishment. "Surely you are not counting on trying to continue the journey after all that has happened?"
"Of a verity we are," Master Hunter said emphatically. "It is not in our minds to ride back with the story that we allowed ourselves to be frightened by six men after two lads have shown themselves so brave and so quick-witted. Go for your horses, and, having mounted them, ride directly out on the main road, moving cautiously until arriving opposite where these scoundrels are encamped. Then use your spurs; we will join you some distance on."
"But think of the danger which you incur!" I pleaded, although it would have been more seemly for a lad like myself to keep a silent tongue and obey orders.
"We count on presenting this petition to the governor if it be possible to arrive at Brunswick," Master Howell said sharply, and then, by way of putting an end to the conversation, the gentlemen began leading the animals back past the lean-to from which we had so lately rescued them.
There was nothing left for Sidney and I but to perform the parts assigned us, although I am certain there was much the same thought in his mind that filled mine, which was that the latter portion of this venture would be needlessly dangerous and ill-advised.
We did not speak one with another, however, until we had found our horses and made them ready for the journey, when Sidney said solemnly:
"If I had fancied the deputies would have continued on toward Brunswick, of a verity we would be well toward Maddock's Mill by this time. Even if we two get past the camp in safety, we're likely to fall into the hands of others who are ready and willing to deprive honest men of their liberty."
But for the fact that the deputies awaited our coming as the signal for them to come out of the forest into the road, I would have urged my comrade to leave them then and there that we might save our own skins by joining the members of the Regulation, wherever they might be by this time.
Then, feeling in our hearts that there was no good reason for exposing ourselves to this additional danger, we led the steeds down the road to a point, as nearly as Sidney could determine, opposite the encampment of the enemies.
We mounted in silence, and loosened our weapons that they might be ready to hand, after which Sidney started with a rush.
It can well be fancied that I clapped the spurs to my horse, for the hindermost in this race was likely to be the one who would suffer severely, and we clattered past the camp at the best possible speed.
When a mile or more had been traversed we heard the hoof-beats of horses both before and behind, telling that the deputies had taken to the road, and also that the royalists were in full pursuit.
Masters Howell and Hunter must have checked the speed of their steeds somewhat in order to allow us to come up, after which all four settled down to such a race as I never rode before, for liberty, perhaps like itself, was the stake.
Not until our horses were so nearly blown that it became absolutely necessary, did we draw rein, and then it was no longer possible to hear the sounds of pursuit.
"We have out-ridden them, that is all," Master Howell said in a quiet tone, as if he was not greatly interested in the final result. "We will give the nags time to breathe, and then push on again. For a time our traveling must be done by night."
"If you count so surely that there are others on the road who will try to prevent us from gaining Brunswick, why is it not reasonable to suppose Governor Tryon may play us false?" I asked timidly, for I feared the gentlemen might think me a coward, and yet was I determined they should discuss the possible dangers which awaited us at the journey's end.