Kitabı oku: «The Boy Spies with the Regulators», sayfa 11

In less than an hour from the time when we had been summoned to hear Master Hamilton's announcement, our company of two hundred were riding away from the encampment, envied by every man who was forced to remain behind.

Many a time since Governor Tryon gave us the slip at Hillsborough had we ridden across the country in company; but never before with the certainty before us that we might measure strength with the oppressors of the colony if it so pleased us, and this fact it was which put us in such wondrous spirits.

It was the first opportunity we had had of striking a blow, and we were determined to give a good account of ourselves, regardless of the numbers to which we might find ourselves opposed.

We rode at an easy pace, believing there was no urgent need for haste; but did not draw rein until sunset, when Master Howell gave the word to halt and unsaddle.

"There is plenty of water and grass here," he said in explanation, "and the animals need a rest, not having the same spur to exertion as was given us with the news that Waddel might be where we could get at him."

Each man carried his share of the provisions, and as soon as the horses had been cared for, we ate a hearty supper, knowing that many hours might elapse before another opportunity for satisfying hunger presented itself.

At the end of two hours we were in the saddle again, and we rode until near two o'clock in the morning, with but one short halt, when the company had arrived at the bank of the Yadkin.

Now was come the time when scouts should be sent out lest we come upon the enemy before gaining possession of the powder, and it was near daybreak before the march was resumed.

By that time we had learned that General Waddel's force was in Salisbury, and counting on remaining there until the ammunition train came up.

Two miles below was a ford where we might cross the river without swimming the horses, and when the sun showed himself we were headed at full speed for the road leading from Charlotte to Salisbury, over which it had been reported that the powder would be sent.

Our horses were well blown; but we had made good time, and the only thing which might prevent the venture from being a success, was that General Waddel had already received the ammunition.

"If it turns out that we are too late to intercept the convoy, we must try conclusions with Waddel," one of our party said when we were waiting on the west side of the river for our people to get into line, and, overhearing the remark, Master Howell said emphatically:

"Don't fear that we'll miss of getting our hands on the powder. We'll have a try for it even though it becomes necessary to face all the men Tryon has brought with him."

But that we were in an enemy's country our people would have cheered this statement; but as it was the men contented themselves with raising their hats to such a leader, and then we rode on, now intent only on finding a hiding-place where we might remain until scouts had been sent out to learn the condition of affairs.

Eager though Sidney and I were to come face to face with those who wore the king's uniform, both were well pleased when the word was given to halt and make camp under cover. We had ridden nearly four and twenty hours, and although our hearts were stout for a battle, our bodies were sadly in need of a rest.

We had halted by the side of the road between Charlotte and Salisbury, along which the powder must pass if it had not done so already, and on either side the highway were groves of live oak where five hundred men and horses might readily have found a hiding-place.

Five were told off as sentinels to give the alarm when the ammunition train came in sight, and five more were detailed to scout in the direction of Charlotte to make certain the powder was yet to the south of our hiding-place.

Neither Sidney nor I envied those who were obliged to remain in the saddle yet longer. If, four and twenty hours previous, there had been an opportunity to act as scouts, we two lads would have been willing to fight for the honor; but now we congratulated each other on the possibility of gaining a little sleep before the battle was begun.

We tethered our horses near by; placed saddles and bridles where they might be come at in a hurry, and laid ourselves down in a thicket of small oaks, falling asleep almost as soon as we touched the ground.

It was sunset when I awakened, and looked about me fearing, by some unlucky chance, the company had got away without my knowledge; but my mind was soon set at rest by seeing a score or more of men lounging near at hand as if discussing some matter of importance.

Without stopping to awaken Sidney, I went toward them, and soon learned that our journey had not been in vain. The scouts had come in with the report that the powder and its convoy had not yet arrived at Charlotte, therefore we had only to wait patiently for the desired opportunity.

I was also told that Master Howell had stationed guards three miles down the road, in order that we might have timely warning of the movements of the train, and there was nothing for us to do but pass the time as best we might, providing all hands were ready for a quick jump at the word of command.

When we first halted I was so sore in body from long riding that I believed four and twenty hours of a rest would not be sufficient to satisfy me; but within half an hour after awakening and being told that there was no doubt as to the coming of our game, I was eager to be in the saddle once more.

Although our sentinels were four miles away, and would come into camp at their best pace on hearing or seeing the ammunition train, the word was passed that no man should speak above a whisper, while the horses were to be guarded closely lest by whinnying they betray our whereabouts.

Then came a most trying time of waiting, when we crouched in the darkness close by our accouterments that there might be no delay in laying hands on them immediately the alarm was given, and expecting each instant to be engaged in deadly conflict.

Sidney and I were side by side, not making any attempt to start a conversation because our nerves were strung too tightly to admit of anything like ordinary topics, and I do not remember of passing such dreary, dismal moments.

One had ample time in which to figure all the chances in favor of his being killed or wounded, and to speculate upon the probabilities of success. It seemed as if each moment was ten times its usual length, while the hours were like entire days.

Once when I believed it must be near morning, and was looking up at the sky for the first faint light of the coming dawn, I heard Master Howell say that it yet lacked a quarter of an hour to being midnight, and then both patience and courage oozed out at my finger ends. The cold chill of fear ran up and down my spine, and I believe that had the enemy made his appearance just at that moment, I should have been forced to fight against an inclination to run away.

It is needless and impossible to try to give any correct story as to that night when we waited for the enemy, fearing because success was so necessary to our cause, that, by some blunder or unforeseen accident, we might fail.

The sun had risen, showing haggard faces amid that thicket of live oaks, when we heard among the underbrush some distance away, that crashing which tells of a heavy body trying to force its way through the foliage.

Every man of us sprang to his feet and held his horse's bridle ready, when we saw one of the scouts in company with a sentinel.

"The train will be here within an hour!" was the whisper, and even though the time when we might meet the foe was so far in the future, I ran with all speed to saddle my steed, exulting and at the same moment timorous.

CHAPTER XIV
THE CONVOY

After the first flush of excitement had died away, leaving in its stead that tremulous calm which is caused by exceeding great courage or abject fear, we of the Regulation went about our task in proper order and with due precaution.

It was Sidney who, when I was exultant and excited to the verge of doing some foolish thing, brought me to a realization of the situation by saying scornfully:

"I'm beginning to grow ashamed of the Regulators. To see them running around here as if bereft of reason simply because a rascally corporal's guard of a convoy is coming this way, one would say they had never seen service. Is there like to be so much of credit in the capture of ten or twenty men by a force of two hundred, that each fellow burns with a desire to be in the front rank?"

For a moment I was ashamed at having shown so much emotion over what was really nothing more than an incident, and then there came to my mind the knowledge that this capture meant more to us of the Regulation than would the taking of a force twice our size, and I said decidedly, angry with myself for having been disconcerted by Sidney's scorn:

"One whose heart is with the cause cannot fail of being excited and anxious at such a time, no matter how small may be the force with which we are to contend. It is the idea that the powder is sadly needed by our people, which causes our company to be unduly excited. Every man realizes the importance of doing the task well, and, quite naturally, fears lest it be not performed thoroughly."

Sidney had no reply to make, and I fancy he was somewhat ashamed of having spoken disparagingly of his companions.

Then the word was passed in a whisper for each man to conceal himself and his horse as near the edge of the road as possible, remaining there in readiness to spring out at the first word of command.

A squad of ten was sent a quarter of a mile to the north in order to intercept any who might succeed in making their way past the main body, and our preparations were complete.

I understood that the word for the attack would not be given until the convoy was opposite the center of our line, so that we might completely encircle it to prevent escape in either direction.

Then came half an hour of suppressed excitement, during which I could distinctly hear the beating of my own heart, and finally, the rumble of wheels in the distance, proclaiming the near approach of our prey.

The train consisted of two heavily laden carts convoyed by twenty men, as I could see when the force was nearly opposite my hiding-place, and these details had no more than been noted when Master Howell's voice rang out like a trumpet:

"At them, lads! At them, and make certain none escape you!" To those we were about to attack it must have seemed as if the thicket itself suddenly sprang out toward them, and before they had time to draw up in line ready to receive us, the party was completely surrounded.

I would have been ashamed had there been no show of resistance, for the convoy was made up of Carolinians, and, whether they were for the king or the people, it behooved them to display courage.

At the word we could have shot all the little company down, most likely at the first volley, and in order to save bloodshed Master Howell cried sharply:

"Surrender, you of the convoy! We are full two hundred strong, and there is no good reason why you should throw away your lives!"

While one might have counted ten a deep silence, save for the pawing or stamping of the horses, fell upon all that gathering in the road, and then the leader of the convoy, having seen that there was no hope of accomplishing anything by resistance, said curtly:

"We can do no less than obey your order to surrender."

"Lay your arms on the wagons, after having dismounted, and then march toward the south."

No one spoke while this command was being obeyed until, the men having marched down the road a dozen yards or more from the hindermost wagon, Master Howell called upon them to halt.

Then ten men were told off with orders to guard the prisoners, and when this squad had taken position near the convoy, our leader said in the tone of one who has already mapped out his course of action:

"You will march your squad well to the westward of Salisbury, and endeavor to gain our headquarters. Do not take any chances of coming in contact with Waddel's force, and see to it that not a man escapes. You may set off at once, gentlemen."

The prisoners were first searched to make certain they had no weapons concealed about them, and then the little party rode slowly up toward Salisbury counting on striking into the thicket before coming within dangerous distance of the town.

When the party had disappeared in the distance, we set about taking possession of the ammunition.

As a matter of course it was impossible for us to take the wagons with us, therefore each man was ordered to carry such portion of the powder as he could strap to his saddle, and we set about the work, the greater number of us stripping off our outer shirts, which we converted into bags by tying up the neck and sleeves.

So great was the supply that even when each trooper had all he could conveniently carry, there yet remained a full third of the whole, and this we proceeded to destroy by pouring it into the tiny creek which bordered the western side of the road. Then the horses were unharnessed and set free from the carts, which we left where they were in the highway, and our company formed in line once more.

I had supposed that we would be ordered to join the main body of Regulators; but in this I speedily found myself mistaken, for we rode directly to the Yadkin River, and crossed it, going immediately into camp in a grove of live oaks.

Once this had been done Master Howell sent off five men as scouts, and soon we came to know that this last detachment was gone to spy upon General Waddel's force.

"Yes," our leader said decidedly in reply to a question from one of the older men, "I count on attacking the force which is now at Salisbury. It would be little less than criminal to let slip such an opportunity as is now before us. Waddel is short of ammunition, now we have captured his supply, and I'm of the opinion that he will make an effort to join Tryon, in which case we have him at our mercy. It will not cause us more than two days in time, and we shall be doing great service by preventing the union of the forces."

Now indeed were we doing something in aid of the cause, and my heart leaped high with joy, for it was reasonable to suppose that, in case our leader accomplished all he had set himself, the main body of the Regulators could readily take care of Governor Tryon's army.

It was at this time, although we did not come to know of it until after several days, that Master Rednap Howell showed himself to be a great leader, inasmuch as he caused to be conveyed to General Waddel, without trouble or inconvenience to ourselves, that information which we desired him to have, and the task was performed in this fashion:

Those who had in charge the captured convoy were instructed to allow one of them to escape, after the party were so far north of Salisbury that there would be little likelihood of pursuit, and then it was certain the fugitive would take refuge with Waddel's force.

All this was done in accordance with Master Howell's orders, and thus it came about that when we were on the easterly bank of the Yadkin, the general came to the conclusion that his wisest course would be to join Tryon with the least possible delay, regardless of the fact that the powder had been lost.

Within twelve hours after we had made a camp in ambush, one of our spies came hot foot from Salisbury with the word that the king's forces at that town were making ready for the march. In addition to this information we learned considerably to our surprise, that Waddel's men were in a state of disorder nearly approaching mutiny. With but few exceptions they were members of the militia, and openly avowed that they would not fight under any consideration; others were favorably inclined toward the Regulation, and already had many deserted.

We were unprepared for such good news; but it did not require much reflection for Master Howell to hit upon a course of action which promised success.

Without delay two of our party, the eldest among us, were sent with all speed under a flag of truce for an interview with the general. They were instructed to warn the commander to remain where he was, or retreat to the coast, as might best please him, otherwise we would at once engage him.

It was only natural Waddel should believe that the entire force of Regulators was within striking distance, and while his men were so sadly disorganized he could not well risk an encounter.

We remained in hiding, ready to mount at a moment's notice, and before our messengers returned one of the scouts came in with the word that the militia was crossing the river, evidently bent on making at least one effort to join Tryon.

Five minutes after this information was received we were riding out of the thicket toward that road which it would be necessary for the general to take if he counted on meeting the governor, and within two hours we were in advance of the king's poor soldiers, ready and eager for an engagement.

It was only natural that Sidney and I should be among those who most desired to be led against the enemy, for now, the first time in two years, might we add to whatsoever good reputation we had made as Regulators, and we put aside the possible danger in the belief that we would succeed in distinguishing ourselves.

Skirmishers were sent out to learn when the enemy approached, and the remainder of us waited in anxious expectancy the moment when we might come face to face with the foe.

In this we were doomed to disappointment, however.

Waddel also had skirmishers in advance, and immediately his men came in touch with ours they retreated, and soon word was brought that the entire force was retreating across the river again.

Now began a chase, when our horses were fresh, but handicapped considerably by the loads of powder they carried, and we were positive success would be ours whenever we could come within range of the foe.

All evidence of military formation was lost sight of as we forded or swam our horses across the river, and in less than half an hour we were among the rear guard; but even this did not satisfy Master Howell. He believed the time had come when we might make prisoners of the entire force, and panted for the glory of capturing General Waddel himself.

To effect this fifty of us whose horses were fleetest, and among the number Sidney and I, were directed to make a detour across the country in order to strike the enemy in front before he could gain shelter in Salisbury, holding him there at whatsoever cost until the force was absolutely surrounded.

How we rode that day! The horses were sent forward at racing speed, regardless of the danger that they might be foundered by carrying such a weight, and Sidney and I were among the foremost when we broke cover directly in advance of the retreating column.

"Look after the general!" Sidney shouted as we pressed on, our horses running neck and neck. "Now has come the time when we can make names for ourselves which will not soon be forgotten!"

We could see the leader and his officers plainly, and rode directly toward them without taking heed as to whether we were followed; but there yet remained a sufficient number of the men who were loyal to the king to prevent us from carrying out the plan.

We speedily found ourselves confronted by a squad of twenty or more who stood bravely in line while their officers rode swiftly away, and this little party must be attended to before it might be safe to push on in pursuit of the prize.

We drew back within the shelter of a clump of trees, where we were joined by a dozen or more of our men, and then began the first real fight in which I ever took part.

There was no room in my mind for fear. I thought only of what might be done if we could disperse the party, and I fired and reloaded without realizing that my one desire was to take human lives.

The militia held their ground well, and both sides were at a disadvantage because of trying to take aim while in the saddle. With such marksmen as we had among us that squad of the king's men should all have been disabled within ten minutes, and yet half an hour passed without any perceptible advantage on either side.

Three of our men were down, and four of theirs had dismounted or been knocked out of the saddle; but by such time the general and his officers had surely succeeded in making good their escape.

From the sounds of firing which came from every direction we knew full well that all our party was engaged, and the question had just come into my mind as to whether this force of Waddel's had been as badly demoralized as we were led to believe, when I heard shouts in the rear, and a moment later saw Master Howell ride up with eight or ten men at his back.

"Throw down your arms, and surrender!" he cried to our adversaries. "The remainder of the command have yielded, and you can do Tryon no good by holding out longer!"

In a twinkling the men came forward empty-handed, and the fight was won; but I failed to feel any great elation because of what we had lost, while Sidney was furious with rage.

"But for their holding out, we two might have captured Waddel with, perhaps, some of his officers. It is a clear case of cheating, and we have got the worst of it!"

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth," I cried laughingly, for my sorrow was dissipated by Sidney's rage. "We never counted very surely on capturing the general, and should thank our lucky stars that we have deprived him of his force, for thus have we weakened Tryon."

He would not be consoled for the lost opportunity of distinguishing himself, and for a moment I really believed he was on the point of striking the disarmed men who had baffled his desires.

There was no reason why we should not feel proud of our work. We had captured the ammunition, which was the first task set us, and, in addition held as prisoners a force which Governor Tryon counted on as adding to his own. Surely we had done well, and if the remainder of the Regulators could do as much, then was it certain Tryon would be driven in shame from this portion of the colony.

Now it was that we had more prisoners than were convenient. As a matter of fact it would be impossible to feed them during the march to the Alamance where we counted on meeting our companions-in-arms, to say nothing of providing them with horses, for not more than half the number were mounted, therefore Master Howell called for a consultation in which all hands were to take part.

It was not necessary to spend very much breath over the question as to whether we would try to hold them captives. They must be disposed of in some manner, and without loss of time; but yet our duty was to make certain they did not join Tryon.

After hearing such propositions as our people had to make, and some of them were wild indeed, Master Howell raised the question as to whether it would not be wise to release them on parole?

This was the solution to the whole matter, and if he had so stated it at first, we would have decided within a few seconds.

On being consulted, our prisoners declared that they would readily take an oath not to bear arms against us until after having been properly exchanged, and all seemed pleased at being able to get out of the scrape so easily.

The men were formed in a hollow square, and each was required to repeat the oath Master Howell administered, after which we parted company, the paroled force going toward Charlotte, and we riding at full speed toward the Alamance, for it was to be expected that Tryon would go there to seek us.

I would it were possible for me to set down all the details of our movements; but the yarn has already been spun out to such a length that much which might, possibly, be interesting to strangers must be omitted.

It suffices to say that within three days after this encounter with General Waddel's force, we of the two hundred which had been sent out to gather in a supply of ammunition rejoined the main body of Regulators, and much rejoicing was there in camp after our story had been told.

It was as if each of us had done something remarkable, to judge of the treatment we received, and certain it was that those who had been weak-kneed regarding our chances of a successful opposition to Tryon, straightway became convinced that we could force him to retreat when the two forces came together.

During our absence it had been decided by our leaders that we would await the enemy on the banks of the Alamance, and there was no good reason to change the plan after we returned. We now had plenty of powder, and the women from roundabout melted lead into bullets until our wants were fully supplied.

We had already fought and captured a full third of the force Governor Tryon counted on bringing with him, and this was done by only two hundred of our people, therefore it seemed positive that when we met them, a thousand Regulators against no more than fifteen hundred militia and a few companies of soldiers, the result would be in our favor.

Twenty men or more were sent out as scouts and the remainder of our company lounged idly in camp, when, as a matter of fact, every moment should have been spent in fortifying the position.

More than one of our people suggested that it would be a good plan to throw up breastworks, but our leaders gave no heed to the suggestion, and for the reason that they were suddenly plunged into distress not unmixed with dismay.

Our old commander, the man upon whom all relied at such a time, was taken with a most serious illness, and it was believed that his days on this earth were few.

It was necessary to carry the old gentleman to a dwelling, and half a dozen of our best men undertook this duty, leaving the command of the force to Herman Husband, that member of the force in which we placed implicit confidence.

As I look back upon that time, when all were confident regarding the future, it seems indeed strange that we should have selected as Master Hamilton's successor the only member of our company who would play us false.

It was as if the gallant Master Hamilton had but just been carried away from us, when the scouts came in with the news that Tryon was approaching, having heard of General Waddel's defeat.

Then it was we leaned upon Master Husband, that man for whom we had risked our lives three several times in order that he might be spared imprisonment, and learned in the end that he was no more than a broken reed.