Kitabı oku: «The Boy Spies with the Regulators», sayfa 9

Sandy was a rank coward, as I well knew, and when my hold of his sleeve was relaxed he slunk away among the soldiers, nor did I see him again that night.

During more than an hour Sidney and I continued our efforts, sometimes threatened by the soldiers or Tryon's emissaries, and then the throng had so far dispersed that there were not enough hot-heads left to make any very great disturbance, even though they felt disposed to resist the troops.

"Now the enemies of the colony can do no more than foment an ordinary brawl, which is not what Tryon most desires, and I believe our work here is done in accordance with the general's orders," Sidney said to me as we met among the foremost of the small crowd, within a short distance of where the uniformed men were drawn up in line. "If we are recognized you may be certain those fellows will use every effort to lodge us in jail, and it is wise to beat a retreat while we may."

I was of much the same opinion, and, after gathering half a dozen of the wilder spirits in our wake, we set off toward the ford, hooted and jeered at by those who had most signally failed in the task assigned them.

The sudden change in the situation of affairs was truly surprising. When we two lads first crossed the river we found the streets literally choked with men, women and children who counted on remaining there with the hope of gaining admittance to the court-house as soon as the day dawned; but now it was as if the earth had opened and swallowed all these people.

We did not meet with twenty as we went toward the ford; they had wisely crossed the river, and, once on the opposite side, the Regulators would keep them quiet.

We had checked the governor's scheme, not through force of arms, but simply by removing those who might unwittingly have aided him in his unlawful efforts.

Once the visitors were on that side of the river held by the Regulators, they were unable to go back; but all who called themselves Sons of Liberty would be forced to remain on duty during the entire night in order to hold in check those who counted themselves friendly to the cause.

As a matter of course Sidney and I reported to General Hamilton as soon as possible, and when we had concluded our story the old Scotchman said in a tone of satisfaction:

"I knew full well I could depend upon you lads to do whatsoever was wise. By sending the people over here you have accomplished a good work, and once again is Tryon defeated by your unaided efforts. The Regulation has good reason to count you as valuable members, and when the time comes that this colony can reward the services of those who have aided her, as come it will in due season, I hope I may be alive to make certain you are not neglected."

According to my way of thinking we were already rewarded by such words as these, and but for the darkness Master Hamilton would have seen my cheeks crimsoned with shame because he had given us far more than we deserved.

It was but natural that there should be considerable confusion on our side of the river; all who had lately changed their camping places were seeking for new quarters, and already the slope of the hill outside the lines of our encampment was literally covered with human beings.

The late comers were compelled to find a resting-place on the other side of the elevation, and thus were our horsemen literally hemmed in. If it should become necessary to make a quick movement, it would require some time to clear the ground in order to avoid trampling the visitors beneath the hoofs of our horses.

Every member of the Regulation was now doing guard duty, and as soon as Sidney and I had concluded our interview with the general, we joined our comrades, when the weary work of pacing to and fro was resumed.

At the river front remained a line of Regulators who allowed any person to come over; but refused passage to such as would have gone back, and thus we held the key to the situation so far as keeping the peace was concerned.

Until this last move of Governor Tryon's I think the majority of our people believed the king's officers would not dare do other than give the prisoners a fair trial, although perhaps no one was convinced that it was more than a farce to bring Fanning before the bar.

Now, however, when we had good proof as to the lengths Tryon was ready to go, and could see plainly that he was using every effort to place the Regulation in a false light before the world, there was much doubt as to the outcome of the cases in court.

The Regulators on duty discussed the matter among themselves as if it was a foregone conclusion that might, not right, would rule, and such of the visitors as I heard conversing were loud in their declarations that justice must prevail even though it should be purchased by force.

"There is likely to be hot times to-morrow," Sidney said to me as we halted an instant when everything seemed peaceful. "If we are brought face to face with Tryon's army, much blood will be shed on both sides before the question is settled definitely."

"But that blood will cement the colonies in such manner that oppression in one will be felt by all the others. We shall have effected a union, and what are our lives in comparison to such a consummation?" a voice said, and, turning, I saw Master James Hunter, who had come up in time to overhear our conversation.

"Then you believe we shall fight a battle to-morrow, sir?" I made bold to say, and he replied with a sigh:

"Of that I am not so certain. If we do, the colonies will declare for freedom against the king's rule. If peace is preserved throughout the morrow, then must greater wrongs be endured in order to provoke the people into demanding their full rights."

Having said this the deputy continued on his rounds, and we two lads no longer had any desire to discuss the situation, for it had become so grave, according to Master Hunter, that a bloody battle between us and those on the opposite side of the river seemed suddenly to be really desirable.

During the remainder of that long night we lads did our full share of guard duty, I dwelling upon the possibilities until the old timorousness came upon me, and I was almost a coward.

It seemed to me that death would come within a few hours, and I was already marked out as one of his victims. I found myself wondering if I could march up to the guns of the enemy without betraying the cowardice in my heart, and otherwise spending the time in a very foolish fashion for one who must play the part of soldier.

Never had the dawning of a new day been so much of a relief to me as then. The gray light of morning revealed the multitude sleeping peacefully, and on the opposite bank not even a wreath of smoke showed above the chimney-tops.

The scene brought relief to me, and by the time the sun rose I was able to keep down the fear in my heart, so that no one might suspect that I was in very fact a coward.

It was a wonderful scene when the visitors awakened to life, and began making ready for the coming events which were of concern to all dwelling in America. This day's sun would see the dawn of freedom, or a postponement of that spirit which must in the near future descend upon our people.

The officers of the Regulation went from camp to camp, cautioning the visitors against making any demonstration before the trials at the court-house were brought to a close, and at the ford a group of our best citizens was performing the same task.

If the citizens of upper Carolina made any error on this day it would not be from lack of advice from those who were in a position to know what might be best for the colony.

The one aim of the people was to reach the court-house in order to gain admission as spectators, and although the building would not accommodate one in every hundred who were eager to enter, the thousands flocked thither, jostling and pushing each other in order to get a position among the foremost.

General Hamilton did all a man could to persuade them into remaining at a respectful distance, pointing out the uselessness of expecting to gain admittance; but yet they made their way into the town until our encampment was deserted by all save the better informed – say five hundred men, women and children.

We of the Regulators were ordered to get breakfast as best we might, and then fall into the ranks again, for we were to remain under arms the entire day lest our force might be needed in defense of the citizens.

"Are we like to be called upon for any serious service, sir?" I asked of Master Hunter, who chanced to pass where I was partaking of the morning meal with my parents, and he replied:

"It is hardly probable. Tryon will not attempt any more tricks, now that the time of opening court is so near at hand, and I believe our people will keep the peace, at least until after the decision of the judges is made known."

Then the deputy called my father aside, and the two held such long and earnest converse that I believed our officers were of the opinion the trial would be no more than a farce.

This idea was strengthened in my mind when mother showed such tender affection as I would leave her to take my place in the line which was being formed.

She bade me farewell as if believing we might never meet again, and despite all her efforts the tears came as she spoke.

I was not heartened by this evidence of fear, as may well be imagined, and hurried away to feed my horse in order that I might hide the evidences of my own emotion.

Half an hour later we of the Regulation were in something approaching a military formation, with our horses tethered just in the rear where we might be able to get at them without loss of time, and then came the most trying moment of all-waiting for Governor Tryon to show how far he dared to go in opposition to the law and the rights of the people.

The square around the court-house was black with citizens awaiting an opportunity to enter the building. In the midst of this mass could be seen two files of soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder in order to keep open a passage for the officers and witnesses, and a short distance away were the governor's troops under arms in case it should please our oppressor to order an attack upon the helpless throng.

CHAPTER XI
THE TRIAL

Now the trial was so near at hand – when in a few hours we should know beyond a peradventure to what lengths Tryon would go in his villainy towards the people of the Carolinas we no longer discussed the possibilities of the near future.

If Masters Husband and William Hunter were set free, as indeed could be the only just verdict of the judges, and if Fanning was convicted of having extorted money from the people without even the color of the law to sustain him, then would our colony be peaceful; but I question if one among all those horsemen who awaited the signal to disperse quietly or to ride to their deaths, believed that justice would triumph.

Even two lads like Sidney and myself understood that the governor would deny us our rights, and the thoughts of what might come to those we loved before the sun had disappeared behind the hills, rendered us dumb.

I did not see any of the gentlemen conversing. I threw myself at full length on the grass close by Sidney's side, and would hardly have heard him had he spoken.

My eyes were fixed upon the court-house, surrounded as it was by that vast throng of people, and I noted every movement, however slight.

When the judges and the officers of the court marched through the lane formed by the weapons of the soldiers, I saw them plainly, and could almost imagine that the voice of the sheriff rang in my ears as he uttered the words which opened the sitting.

My father and four other Regulators had gone into town in order to give evidence against Fanning, and to combat the charge of "riotous conduct" which had been preferred against our friends.

All the other gentlemen of our company remained on the hillside, save Master Hamilton, who stood on the highest point in the encampment where he might see any signal which our people should give.

The forenoon passed, and I remained like one in a stupor. The noon hour went by, and I had no sensation of hunger. Some of our companions ate; but they were the ones known to be lukewarm to the cause.

As I came afterward to know, it was near about two o'clock in the afternoon when a low hoarse murmur which was like unto nothing save the growl of an enraged beast sounded on our ears. It rose louder and louder, gathering in angry menace each instant, until it was of such volume, that one could hardly have heard a peal of thunder above it, and then we knew full well that Governor Tryon had trampled all the laws under his foot – that it was our duty to become rebels in fact, by rushing upon the villainous representative of the king and cutting him down.

Then came one from the town running at full speed, and when having come near enough to make his voice heard, he shouted:

"Master Husband has been acquitted; but both William and James Hunter and Master Hamilton have been adjudged guilty, and are fined one thousand pounds each, in addition to imprisonment for six months!"

"But James Hunter and Master Hamilton had not been even charged with crime!" one of the Regulators cried, doubting the truth of the news.

"Very true; yet they were tried just the same. Master James Hunter was taken into custody as he entered the court-room to give evidence against Fanning, and a warrant is already issued for Master Hamilton," the messenger added.

Then Sidney shouted:

"What about Fanning? Has he been acquitted?"

"It is much the same. He was tried on seven counts for extortion, found guilty, and sentenced to pay one penny on each indictment. Seven pence to be paid by the rascally lawyer, and one thousand pounds each by the Hunters and Master Hamilton!"

"And the people?" Master Howell demanded. "What do they say?"

"You can hear for yourself," the man replied, forced to shout even though he stood close beside us by this time, because of the tumult in the vicinity of the court-house. "Before the trial had come to an end the building was filled with soldiers, while the remainder of the governor's force encircled it. If a fight is begun our friends will be shot down by hundreds, with no opportunity to strike a blow save with their bare fists."

Without waiting for the word of command every Regulator mounted his horse, and all of us waited for the signal from our commander, who had drawn near to hear the report made by the messenger.

He stood with his chin on his breast like one stunned, neither looking up nor speaking, while the cries from the opposite side of the river increased in fury each instant.

"Are we to sit here while our friends are imprisoned without cause?" a horseman near me asked angrily, and Master Hamilton raised his head as if to make reply, when some one shouted:

"Here comes Master Husband! They have set him free!"

The man who had been in jail nearly six months for having dared to say that Tryon had no authority to levy a tax to build himself a palace, could be seen walking rapidly toward the ford, and all understood that nothing would be done by us until he arrived.

Master Hamilton rode down to meet him, and the two remained in private converse five minutes or more before coming up to where we awaited them with the utmost impatience.

Then it was that our commander spoke:

"Gentlemen, it is our duty to prevent the people of upper Carolina from beginning a conflict with the king's troops. We must not permit ourselves to commit any act of violence against the governor until after due deliberation, for all which we do now is the same as if we moved against the king. By Master Husband's advice, we shall ride into town, and do our best to prevent a conflict which would cost the lives of hundreds of our friends and neighbors. I beseech you that, however great the provocation, all this company keep well together in military formation, and obey every order to the letter. Later, when some of those who are absent can take part in our deliberations as is their right, we will settle upon a course of action."

Some one offered Master Husband a horse, on which he rode by the side of our leader as we crossed the river and went from thence to the court-house, or, I should say, as near as it was possible to advance.

The vast throng were inflamed by anger. They shouted threats against the soldiers, who were evidently alarmed by the demonstration, and had General Hamilton given the signal to make an attack, I believe of a verity that every man, whether armed or not, would have joined the fray.

At seeing us ride up the citizens shouted yet more loudly; but when we halted, they turned about to learn the reason of our delay in giving Tryon a lesson, and Master Hamilton cried out to them, speaking so loudly that every word must have been heard by those who yet remained in the court-room.

"We, the Regulation, beg that you will not put your lives in jeopardy while unprepared for battle. If you will disperse, each sending his women and children home out of danger, the Regulators will meet you in solemn deliberation this evening when our plan of action shall be decided upon."

"And are we to let Tryon and Fanning sneak away?" one of the throng asked angrily.

"Not so, my friend. While the Regulators are under arms you know full well that no one can leave Hillsborough without our permission. The cause will not suffer by this delay, and we shall be in better position to demand that which you have failed of receiving this day – justice. Send your families home, collect your weapons, and join us who have sworn to drive the oppressors out of upper Carolina."

If Tryon was in the court-room, as many of the throng declared, then he had heard every word spoken by our commander, and I venture to say he felt ill at ease, for it was plain to be seen that if the Regulators should be reinforced by these men who were raising their voices against the farce of a trial, he stood in great danger of being made prisoner.

He might use the court-house as a fortification, and could hold it two or three days, perhaps; but we would take good care that he did not send any messengers to Brunswick or Newberne, and there could be but one ending to the affair.

The people seemed to understand all this, for straightway they began to move toward the river, followed by their families, and in less than half an hour few save the Regulators remained around the building.

The soldiers who had been stationed outside now crowded inside the court-house, never waiting for orders to move, and we were left like jailers who are satisfied with holding their prisoners in closed cells.

Master Hamilton told off a dozen men for sentinels at each side of the building, and as many more in the rear, with orders to shoot down any who attempted to escape from the windows, while the main portion of our force remained thirty yards or more from the front doors.

It looked much as if an attack was to be made upon the king's representatives despite all Master Hamilton had said regarding the advisability of waiting for reflection and concerted plans.

Our commander remained by himself, midway between the front rank and the building, as if expecting that which occurred before we had been in position five minutes.

Then it was that David Edwards, the governor's secretary, appeared at one of the windows, and cried warningly:

"In the name of his excellency, Governor William Tryon, I bid ye disperse! Those who remain do so under the pain and penalty of being adjudged in rebellion against his most gracious majesty."

"We are in rebellion against tyranny and injustice," Master Hamilton replied in a loud voice which had in it no tone of menace. "It is our purpose to remain here until the wrong committed this day has been righted, and he who ventures out from among you in the meantime will do so at the expense of his life."

"But this is neither more nor less than armed rebellion against the king," Edwards cried as if suddenly understanding that we were in a position to enforce our demand.

"I repeat that we are not here against the king, but to uphold the laws which Tryon and his minions have trampled in the dust. We of the Regulators number five hundred men; within two hours we shall have as many more in our ranks, and it does not need much calculation on your part to prove that the power is with us, as the rebellion against his majesty is with you."

Master Edwards disappeared, and I was expecting each moment that the soldiers within the building would open fire upon us, when my father appeared at the door, holding up his hand to attract attention.

"It is William Butler, one of the Regulators!" Master Hamilton shouted for the benefit of those who might not have recognized my father. "Let him come out!"

Our commander advanced to my father's side, and the two held long converse, after which both came forward toward our troop.

Then appeared once more at the window, Master Edwards, who cried out:

"Will you allow that I hold a conference with you in private?"

"Meaning in your own name, or that of the governor?" Master Hamilton asked sharply.

"I would bring to you a message from his excellency."

"You may come," our commander said after whispering with my father; "but I shall repeat at my pleasure, to these gentlemen, all which you may say."

Again the secretary disappeared, to show himself at the door a moment later, and General Hamilton remained motionless, forcing Master Edwards to approach him.

The two gentlemen saluted, exchanged a few words, and then half a dozen of our leaders were summoned to what appeared to be a council of war participated in by representatives of both armies.

Much time was spent by these gentlemen in consultation; but, finally, it appeared as if some plan had been arranged to the satisfaction of all. Master Edwards returned to the court-house; our leaders fell back into line, where we remained half an hour or more wondering what was to be the upshot of the matter, when suddenly Masters James and William Hunter, and three other citizens who had been held prisoners, came out of the door.

While one might have counted five we were held speechless with astonishment, and then our people began to cheer, for it seemed at the moment as if we had in fact beaten the governor in a game of his own making.

Before the shouts died away the command was given for the sentinels to come in; the troop was formed in fours, and we rode away, heading for the encampment on the hill.

Our leaders were grave, probably because they alone knew at what price this temporary triumph had been purchased; but the remainder of the party were wild with joy, for we imagined ourselves victors.

Before fording the river we were joined by nearly an hundred mounted men who had obeyed Master Hamilton's instructions to take their families home and return armed, and throughout the night we received accessions to our force until the Regulators were more than a thousand strong.

It can well be supposed that all the company were burning with curiosity to learn more concerning the bargain which had resulted in the release of the prisoners; but our commander gave no sign of being in haste to explain matters.

"The Regulation will meet to-night, and the whole matter shall be laid before it," he said gravely when Master Howell, bolder than the others, ventured to ask for particulars.

Sidney and I, when we were occupying our old lean-to once more, speculated earnestly as to what the people had, through Master Hamilton, promised as the price of the prisoners' release; but we had made little headway when Master James Hunter, the deputy, approached our shelter on his way across the encampment.

After our experience in his company he seemed rather like a comrade than a mere acquaintance, and Sidney did not hesitate about asking the questions we were so eager to have answered.

"As yet we have really made no bargain, lads," Master Hunter said as he seated himself in a friendly way near us. "The governor promised, for the sole purpose of averting bloodshed, so he declared, to release those of us who were sentenced to imprisonment and fine, in consideration of the Regulators returning to camp, and keeping with them such as might arrive bent on rebellious acts, until to-morrow morning. Then, so the secretary stated, some proposal looking to peace will be made."

"It seems much as if Tryon was backing down from the high horse he has been riding in the Carolinas," Sidney said with a laugh.

"He had no choice in this case," Master Hunter replied. "The Regulators held him like a rat in a trap, and if a battle had ensued his own precious body would have been endangered. My only fear is that he counts, by such delay, on getting the best of us in some way."

"We shall be stronger to-morrow morning than we are now," I ventured to suggest. "The people are coming in rapidly, and soon we shall outnumber his force five to one."

"All of which is very true, and because he must have understood that such would be the case, I am the more suspicious of his honesty in this matter."

Then it was I dared ask Master Hunter to tell us all that had occurred in the court-house, and he began by saying:

"There is very little to the story, lad, for unless I'm much mistaken, Tryon, Edwards and Fanning had the program arranged last night. When I entered the room the sheriff made me prisoner without so much as producing a warrant. Not until late in the forenoon were the others brought in, and then the story of our misdeeds was quickly told by men like Sandy Wells. Our defense was cut down in every way; we were not allowed to call our witnesses, and checked when we would have argued our case. There was no verdict given when the trial closed. The case of Fanning was called, and of all the witnesses we had brought, only two were allowed to give in their testimony. Fanning argued that he was forced to charge extortionate fees in order to gain a livelihood; that it was generally understood court officers should demand sufficient to provide them with a fair salary, and then pleaded guilty as to the indictments so far as the facts were concerned, but insisted he was innocent according to the spirit of the law."

"I suppose he was allowed ample time in which to argue his case," Sidney interrupted.

"As to that you may be certain; it was only the witnesses appearing against him who were admonished not to waste the court's time. Then we were sentenced, and after ten minutes or more the judges had agreed that Fanning should pay seven pence for the crime of extorting hundreds of pounds from the poor. We would have been sent into the prison at once but for the fact of your arrival. It could readily be seen that Tryon was really alarmed by the cries of those outside, and when the Regulators arrived he went into the next room with the judges, Fanning and Edwards. The rest you know as well as I. We who sat in the dock were ordered to follow the secretary, and, to our great surprise, were set free."

"Then we are to remain here quietly until tomorrow morning?" Sidney asked.

"That is the proposition."

"And what will the governor be doing meanwhile?"

"I cannot say. It is possible he has troops on the way from Brunswick or Newberne, as Master Husband suggests; but I am not of the same opinion. He would most certainly have brought to Hillsborough all the force that could be raised, before the trial began, for it must be humiliating to be obliged to make any terms with us."

"He counts on some treachery I'll be bound!" Sidney exclaimed, and Master Hunter said with a sigh:

"I have the same fear, lad. To release us after we had been sentenced was a harder task for him than if he had set Husband and my brother free last week. We shall find that he can play double, while our people hold so strictly to the truth that they are not willing to believe a lickspittle like the governor would stoop to tell a deliberate lie."

Having said this Master Hunter went on his way, and we lads could do no more than speculate upon the probability of our having put Tryon in such a trap that he would be forced to deal honestly with us.

Late that evening, when there were not less than one hundred armed men in the encampment, the Regulation was called to order, and Master Hamilton opened the meeting by telling the same story we two lads had previously heard from Master Hunter. He concluded by saying:

"Believing that humanity demanded us to avert bloodshed at any price short of honor, the officers of the Regulation decided on a truce of twenty hours in consideration of the freedom of the prisoners. We ask you to hold the promise we made as if each of you had personally given his word to it. To-morrow we shall have another proposition from the governor, and then will be the time when we must decide as to our future course."

Many gentlemen spoke on the same subject, all agreeing that we could do no less than adhere strictly to the promise our commander had given, and then the meeting was dissolved.

Having had no sleep on the previous night, I was right glad to crawl into the bed of pine branches which Sidney and I called our own, and not until the sun showed his face next morning did I awaken.

Because a truce had been declared, there was no need of standing guard, and all our company enjoyed a full night's rest.

As soon as breakfast had been eaten we lounged around the camp, remaining where we could overlook the town, and waited for some word from the governor, speculating meanwhile as to what proposition it might please him to make.

Noon came, and no messenger appeared.

At one o'clock my father was sent across the river to learn why we had not heard from Tryon, and he returned with a reply that we "would be well satisfied in a few hours."

This message was given by a servant at the governor's headquarters; my father had seen neither the governor, his secretary, nor Fanning.

There was no little grumbling because we were thus kept waiting when the truce was for twenty hours only; but never a man dreamed of breaking his word. Such perfidy as that was left for his excellency, William Tryon, he who claimed to be the king's honorable representative.