AN INCIDENT OF THE WAR NOT UNFAMILIAR TO THE TIME.
Breakfast was just over when Robinson was seen, from the windows of Mrs.
Markham's parlor, pricking along the avenue that conducted to the front
of the mansion; and when he drew up his horse at the door, the family
were already assembled there to greet him. The plight, both of himself
and of his steed, was such as to tell the best part of his story--they
had travelled far and seen rough service. The rest was supplied by the
sergeant himself, who, before he moved from the spot where he had
dismounted, gave a narrative of his adventures, which was listened to
with great anxiety by the household.
By the sergeant's reckoning, Mrs. Markham's residence could not be more
than twenty miles from the place where, at daybreak, he had encountered
the British partisan, whom he had left with a full conviction that the
expedition then on foot was to be directed against the country lying
upon the river. These tidings spread consternation throughout the
mansion, and the morning was passed in all the confusion which such an
alarm might be supposed to produce. The fright of the females rendered
them irresolute, and incapable of attending to the most obvious
precautions necessary to meet the emergency.
In this conjuncture, Robinson felt himself bound to assume the direction
of affairs. At his suggestion, the plate and such other valuables as
were likely to attract the cupidity of a licentious soldiery, were
secreted in hiding-places sufficiently secure to defy a hasty search.
The family was advised to assume the appearance of as much composure as
they could command; and the last and most emphatic injunction of the
sergeant was, to provide an ample and various repast, in the hope that
the ill-will of the visitants might be conciliated by the display of
good cheer. All this was accordingly put into a train of
accomplishment.
In the midst of these precautions, the fears of the inhabitants of the
mansion were but too truly realized. It was scarcely noon when the long
column of Tarleton's cavalry was descried descending the high hills that
lay in the distance, and, soon afterwards, taking the road that led into
the plantation.
Whilst the panic produced by this sight was still fresh the sound of
bugles and trumpets showed that the invaders had already turned their
steps towards the dwelling, and the next view disclosed them deploying
from a wood and advancing at a full trot. The quick beat of hoofs upon
the soil, and the jangling sounds of sabres shaken against the flanks of
the horses, struck upon the terrified ear of the proprietress of the
estate like the harsh portents of impending ruin; and in the despair and
agony of her distress, she retreated hastily to her chamber, whither she
summoned her female domestics, and gave way to a flood of tears. She was
followed by Mildred, who, touched by the pervading disquiet of the
family, participated in the alarm, and found herself overcome by a
terror which she had never before experienced in all the scenes which
she had lately gone through. Obeying the instinct of her present fears,
our heroine cowered beside her weeping friend, in the midst of the group
of clamorous servants, and awaited in mute solicitude the coming events.
The cavalry had turned aside and halted in front of a barn some distance
from the dwelling-house, and a small party, consisting principally of
officers attended by a sergeant's guard, were immediately afterwards
seen galloping up to the door. The air of exultation exhibited in their
movement, their loud jocularity and frequent laughter, resembled the
burst of gladsome riot with which a party of fox-hunters are wont to
announce the first springing of their game, and gave evidence of the
feelings of men who set little account upon the annoyance they
threatened to a peaceful and unoffending household.
When the officers of the party had dismounted and entered the hall, the
first person they encountered was Sergeant Robinson, who had
thoughtfully posted himself in view of the door; and now, with some
awkward and ungainly bows and scraping of his feet across the floor,
bade them welcome.
"What," said Tarleton, who was at the head of the intruders, "have we
stumbled so soon again upon our shrewd and sensible ox! Wise Master
Stephen Foster, well met! So you are the gentleman-usher to your good
friend, Mrs. Markham! By my faith, the old lady is likely to have the
honors of her house well administered!"
"Your sarvant, sir," said Horse Shoe, again bowing and scraping his foot
with a look of imperturbable gravity. "Mought I ax your honor to stomp
as lightly upon the floor as you can? My young lady is sick up
stairs--and much noise is apt to flurry her narves."
"Tread daintily, gentlemen," said Tarleton, laughing, "for your
gallantry's sake! A lady's nerves are as delicate as the strings of a
harp, and must not be rudely struck. The damsel's page here (pointing to
Horse Shoe), puts down his foot like a most considerate elephant--soft
as a feather, you perceive; and I would by no means have you give so
worshipful a master of courtesy cause to complain of you. As your
wisdom," he added, again addressing the sergeant, "has found out, by
this time, that you are in the house of Mrs. Markham, although you
_disremembered_ that this morning, I suppose you can tell whether she is
at home?"
"I can answer you that she is at home, sir--that is, onless she has went
out sence I saw her, which is not likely, sir."
"Then, present her Colonel Tarleton's respects, and say that he has come
to offer his duty to her."
"I suppose by that, you are wishing to see the lady," replied the
sergeant; "I'll let her know, sir."
Robinson retired for a few moments, and when he returned he announced to
the commander that Mrs Markham was not willing to come from her chamber.
"But whatsomever your honor pleases to ax after, the lady promises you
shall have," continued the sergeant.
"Well, that's a condescension!--a good, comfortable lady! So, gentlemen,
you see we are in luck; a broad roof over head--a larder well stored, I
hope--and a cellar not altogether empty, I think I may undertake to
promise. Where are your waiting-men, my nimble Ganymede? You are a
sluggish oaf, fellow, not to see that soldiers must have drink!"
Alfred and Henry now entered the hall, and the former approaching
Tarleton, said, with a firm but respectful tone:
"My mother has before been visited by British troops, and she had so
little then to thank them for, except their departure, that the fear of
meeting them again has greatly alarmed her. Our family, sir, has no
older man in it than myself--and out of regard to helpless women--"
"That's enough, my pert lad," interrupted Tarleton; "I have heard of
your good mother before; she is somewhat over ready in her zeal in
behalf of Marion's ragamuffins: and truly I think she is more squeamish
than she should be at the sight of a soldier, when she could look upon
such hang-gallows knaves without shuddering. You have another man in
your house, I see (directing his eye towards Henry Lindsay, who had
seated himself in the hall)--and full as old, I take it, as yourself."
"I wish I were a man of full age," said Henry, looking fearlessly at the
British officer, and remaining fixed in his chair.
"Why so, my gay sparrow-hawk?"
"I would have disputed with you your right to enter this door."
"These young cocks are all trained to show their game," said the Colonel
to one of his companions. "Well, you are a fine fellow, and I should be
happy to be better acquainted with you. A little too stiff, perhaps: but
you will learn better as you grow older. You should thank me for making
holiday in your school to-day."
Here Robinson interposed before Henry could make the saucy reply he
meditated, by announcing that the company would find some cool water and
a supply of spirits in the adjoining room. "Besides," he added, "I have
told the house-folks to make ready somewhat in the way of victuals, as I
judged you mought be a little hungry."
"Not badly thought of, Mr. Ajax!" said one of the officers, as the party
now crowded into the room.
"Don't forget Stephen Foster," whispered Robinson, by way of admonition
in regard to his assumed character, as he passed by the chair where
Henry was sitting. "And keep a civil tongue in your head."
Henry nodded compliance, and then, with Alfred, left the hall, whilst
the sergeant repaired to the refreshment room to offer his officious
attentions to the quests.
Meanwhile, the ladies still kept to their chamber, ever and anon gazing
out at the window with a solicitous and unhappy interest, and
occasionally receiving the highly-colored reports of the servants, who,
as often as any new subject of wonder or fear occurred to them, were
plying backwards and forwards between the apartment and the head of the
stair-case.
After an interval of half an hour, during which the uncouth din of
laughter, of loud oaths, and of the careless swaggering of the party
below, rose with a harsh note to the ear of the hostess and her
companion, these sounds abruptly ceased, and it was evident that the
visitors had quitted the house. It was with an emotion of delight that
Mrs. Markham, from the window, beheld Colonel Tarleton and his comrades
galloping towards the main body of his troops that awaited him near the
barn; but, on repairing to the hall, this sudden gleam of satisfaction
was as suddenly clouded, when the matron perceived a sentinel posted at
the front door. As soon as she came within speech of this functionary,
he threw up his hand to his brow, as he said: "The colonel commanded me
to make his compliments to the ladies, and asks the honor of their
company at dinner."
"Colonel Tarleton forgets himself," said Mrs. Markham, with a stately
reserve that showed she had now dismissed her fears; "a brave soldier
would hardly think it a triumph to insult unprotected females."
"He is here to speak for himself, madam," replied the sentinel, as
Tarleton at this moment returned to the door.
The lady of the house, thus taken by surprise, firmly stood her ground,
and awaited in silence the accost of the officer. Tarleton was somewhat
disconcerted by this unexpected encounter. He had entered with a hurried
step, but the moment he was aware of the presence of the dame, he halted
and removed his cap from his head, as he made a low obeisance.
"I am too happy, madam," he said, "in the persuasion that you have
overcome your unnecessary alarm at this visit; and feel pleased to be
afforded an opportunity of making my respects in person."
"I can conceive no sufficient reason, Colonel Tarleton, why a
defenceless house like mine should provoke the visit of such a host of
armed men."
"Your house, madam, has some fame upon this border for good
entertainment. It fell in my way, and you will excuse me for the freedom
of saying, that I boast myself too much of a cavalier to pass it by
unmarked by some token of my regard. Besides, I may add without meaning
to be rude, our necessities in the article of forage, madam, are quite
as great as General Marion's, who, I understand, does not scruple
sometimes to take his contribution from you."
"I should more readily excuse your visit," replied the lady, "if you
would time it when General Marion was levying his contribution. You
might then adjust your right to the share you claim. This house is
yours, sir; and it is not fit that I should remain to debate with you
your claim to dispose of whatever you may find in it."
"Why, what a musty and wrinkled piece of insolence is here!" muttered
the angry soldier, clenching his teeth under this rebuke as the matron
withdrew. "Well, let the crones rail and the maidens weep their fill!
the border is mine, and merrily will I hold it, and blithely will I
light up the river, too, before I leave it! Curse on these free-spoken
women! Who says they are defenceless with that supple weapon that God
has given them? What ho, you bag of chaff--booby--Foster--I say! Look
you; have you all the provisions in the house set out upon the
tables--and don't spare your peach brandy, which we have already
tasted--you have more of it. So let us have the best; I shall feast with
a good will to-day, and I will do it plentifully, or your ears shall be
cropped."
"Everything in the kitchen, sir, is going on at a gallop," said Horse
Shoe; "and as for the drinkables, your honor shall command the house to
the last jug."
"Then bestir yourself, for I am in no mood to tarry."
In a brief lapse of time an abundant board was spread, and the leaders
of the corps, consisting of some twenty or thirty officers of all ranks,
were gathered around it. A scene of uproar succeeded that resounded to
the roof with the unfeeling and licentious mirth of those engaged in the
carouse.
When they had eaten and drunk their fill, the greater portion of the
guests were assembled at the front door. From this position there was
to be seen, at no great distance, a small inclosure of not above ten
feet square, constructed with a dark paling, above which a venerable
willow drooped its branches. Towards this inclosure some five or six of
the revellers repaired, to gratify an idle and, at present, a maudlin
curiosity. When they arrived here, they leaned across the paling to read
the inscription upon a stone that seemed but recently to have been
placed there. It was a simple memorial of the death of Colonel Markham,
of the Carolina militia, which was recorded to have taken place but
eighteen months before on the Savannah river in an engagement with the
troops under General Prevost. To this was added, in the spirit of the
times and in accordance with the sentiments of the Whig leaders in the
war of independence, a bitter expression of censure upon the barbarous
disposition of the enemy, couched in homely but earnest phrase, and
speaking the hate of the survivors in the same sentence that commended
the virtues of the dead.
It was an unpropitious moment for such a tablet to meet the eye of those
who gazed upon it; and when it was read aloud by the captain of a troop,
whose natural temper, rendered savage by the rudeness of the war, was
also at this moment exasperated almost to intoxication by the freedom of
the table, he vented his curses in loud and coarse rage against the
memory of him to whom the stone was dedicated. This fire of passion
spread through the group around the tomb, and each man responded to the
first execration by others still deeper and more fierce. Proclaiming the
inscription to be an insult, they made an attack upon the paling, which
was instantly demolished, and, seizing upon the largest stones at hand,
they assailed the tablet with such effect as soon to break it in pieces;
and then, with a useless malice, applied themselves to obliterating the
inscription upon the fragments. Whilst engrossed with the perpetration
of this sacrilege, their attention was suddenly aroused by the near
report of a pistol, the ball of which, it was discovered, had struck
into the trunk of the willow.
"I will kill some of the scoundrels, if I die for it!" was the
exclamation heard immediately after the shot, and Alfred Markham was
seen struggling with an officer who had seized him. The young man had
been observed and followed, as he madly rushed from a wing of the
mansion towards the burial-place, and arrested at the moment that he
was levelling a second pistol.
"Henry, shoot him down!" he screamed to his companion, who was now
approaching armed with his carbine.
"Let me go, sir! I will not see my father's tomb disturbed by ruffians."
"Loose your hands!" cried Henry, directing his passionate defiance to
the individual who wrestled with Alfred, "loose your hands, I say, or I
will fire upon you!"
"Fire at the drunken villains around my father's grave!" shouted Alfred.
"They shall have it," returned Henry, eagerly, "if it is the last shot I
ever make." And with these words the youth levelled his piece at the
same group which had before escaped Alfred's aim, but, luckily, the
carbine snapped and missed fire. In the next instant Horse Shoe's broad
hand was laid upon Henry's shoulder, as he exclaimed, "Why, Master
Henry, have you lost your wits? Do you want to bring perdition and
combustion both, down upon the heads of the whole house?"
"Galbraith Robinson, stand back!" ejaculated Henry. "I am not in the
humor to be baulked."
"Hush--for God's sake, hush!--foolish boy," returned Robinson with real
anger. "You are as fierce as a young panther--I am ashamed of you!"
By this time the whole company were assembled around the two young men,
and the violent outbreak of wrath from those at whom the shot was aimed,
as well as from others present, rose to a pitch which the authority of
Tarleton in vain sought to control. Already, in this paroxysm of rage,
one of the party, whose motions had escaped notice in the confusion of
the scene, had hurried to the kitchen fire, where he had snatched up a
burning brand, and hurled it into the midst of some combustibles in a
narrow apartment on the ground floor.
The clamor had drawn Mrs. Markham and Mildred to the chamber window, and
whilst they looked down with a frightened gaze upon the confused scene
below, it was some moments before they became aware of the participation
of Henry and Alfred in this sudden and angry broil. Mildred was the
first to discern the two young men as they were dragged violently
across the open space in front of the mansion by the crowd, and to hear
the threats with which this movement was accompanied.
"Merciful Heaven!" she exclaimed, "they have laid hands upon Henry and
Alfred--they will kill my brother, my dear brother!" Almost frantic at
the danger that threatened Henry and his companion, she fled
precipitately down the stair-case, and in a moment stood confronted with
Colonel Tarleton and his soldiers.
"Never fear, sister," cried out Henry, who was already brought into the
hall, as he saw Mildred descending the stairs. "Don't be alarmed for
either Alfred or me. We are ready to confess what we did and why we did
it--and Colonel Tarleton, if he is a true man, will not dare to say we
did wrong."
"I charge you, Colonel Tarleton," said Mildred with a firm but excited
voice, "as the soldier of a Christian nation, to save the people of this
house from an inhuman and most wicked outrage. I implore you as an
officer who would be esteemed valiant--and as a gentleman who would fly
from dishonor--to rescue your name from the disgrace of this barbarous
violence. For the sake of mercy--spare us--spare us!"
As she uttered this last ejaculation her spirit yielded to the vehemence
of her feelings, and she flung herself upon her knee at the feet of the
commander. "Oh, sir, do not let harm fall upon my brother. I know not
what he has done, but he is thoughtless and rash."
"Mildred," said Henry, immediately rushing to his sister, and lifting
her from the floor, "why should you kneel before him, or any man here?
This is no place for you--get back to your room." Then turning to
Tarleton, he continued, "Alfred Markham and I tried to shoot down your
men, because we saw them breaking the tomb. If it was to do over again
our hands are ready."
"They have insulted the memory of my father," exclaimed Alfred,
"trampled upon his grave, and broken the stone that covers him--I aimed
to kill the drunken coward who did it. That I say, sir, to your face."
Tarleton, for a space, seemed to be bewildered by the scene. He looked
around him, as if hesitating what course to pursue, and once or twice
made an effort to obtain silence in the hall; but the tumult of many
voices in angry contention still continued. At last he presented his
hand to Mildred, and with a courteous action conducted her to a chair,
then begged her to calm her fears, as he promised her that no evil
should befal either of the young men whose indiscreet tempers had
occasioned the present uproar.
"In God's name! have they fired the dwelling?" he exclaimed, as at this
moment a volume of smoke rolled into the hall. "What ho, there! O'Neal,
McPherson. Look where this smoke comes from, and instantly extinguish
the fire! Stir yourselves, gentlemen. By my hilt, if any follower of
mine has been so wild as to put a torch to this house, I will hang him
up to the ridge-pole of the roof! Look to it--every man! Quick,
quick--there is danger that the flames may get ahead."
In an instant nearly every soldier in the hall departed in obedience to
this order.
"I beg, madam," Tarleton continued, "that you will dismiss your alarm,
and rest upon my pledge that no inmate of this house shall be harmed. I
conjecture that I have the honor to speak to Miss Lindsay--I have been
informed that that lady has lately found shelter under this roof."
"It is my name, sir--and as the daughter of a friend to your quarrel,
let me conjure you to see that this house is safe; I cannot speak with
you until I am assured of that."
At this juncture, Mrs. Markham was observed at the head of the first
flight of stairs, pale with affright, wringing her hands, and uttering
loud ejaculations of terror and grief as she made her way down to the
hall:
"Oh, sir," she said, as she approached the commander, "we are harmless
women, and have done nothing to call down this vengeance upon us. Take
what you will--but spare my roof and save my family! God will reward you
even for that act of humanity to a desolate widow."
Before Tarleton could reply to the matron, a party of officers came
hastily into his presence, at the head of whom was Captain O'Neal, who
reported that the fire was extinguished.
"One of the mess, to-day," he said, "heated with drink and roused by the
foolish temper of these hot-headed boys, threw a blazing billet into a
closet. Luckily, we reached the spot before any great harm was done. The
chaps should be switched, and taught better manners. It was a silly
affair and might have made mischief."
"See that the offender be arrested," replied Tarleton, "I will take
measures to curb this license. These meddling youngsters, too--however,
I can't blame them, they had provocation, I confess--and this war gives
an edge to all the metal of the country. Instead of pop-guns now every
baby has his powder and ball--dismiss the boys. To your post, captain,
and order every man to join his company. Now, madam," he added in a tone
of conciliation to Mrs. Markham, as soon as the hall was cleared, "I am
sure you will not accuse me of incivility. My people have withdrawn--the
fire is extinguished--these inconsiderate lads at liberty: have I
answered your wish?"
"You have won the gratitude of a mother," replied the dame, "and the
respect of an enemy. I am bound to say to you, in return, that I
cheerfully surrender to you whatever you may choose to take from my
estate for the supply of your soldiers. Alfred, my son, give me your
arm, and help me to my chamber--I am feeble and faint. I must ask your
permission to withdraw," she continued, as she courtesied to Tarleton,
and ascended the stairs.
"And I, too, must take my leave," said Tarleton. "But before I go I may
claim the privilege of a word with Miss Lindsay. You spoke of your
father, madam? and, especially, as a friend of our arms. I have been
told he lives in Virginia, Philip Lindsay, the proprietor of a seat
called 'The Dove Cote,' a royalist too--am I right?"
"So, my father is known, sir."
"That name has stood you in stead to-day, madam. And this is your
brother? I should think he is hardly of your father's mind in regard to
our quarrel. This way, my thoughtless young gallant! It was a wild,
bold, and very conceited thing of you to be challenging my unruly
dragoons--and would have been no less so, if you had had twenty score of
tall fellows at your back. But it is past now, and you need not
apologize for it--it showed mettle at least, and we never quarrel with a
man for that. May I inquire, Miss Lindsay, in what direction you
travel? for I learn you are but a sojourner here. It may be in my power
to insure your safe-conduct."
"I seek your general, Lord Cornwallis, on matters of private concern,"
replied Mildred, "and if I might venture to ask it of Colonel Tarleton,
his service in affording me an unquestioned passage, would be a favor
that I should gratefully acknowledge."
"The obligation will be on my side, madam. It will be a pleasure to me
to believe that I can serve a lady, much more the daughter of an
honorable subject of the king. Permit me, without further parley, for
time presses at this moment, to say that I will leave an escort behind
me under the command of a trusty officer, who will wait your pleasure to
conduct you, by the safest and easiest journey to head-quarters. Your
commands, madam, shall in all respects regulate his motions. My
communications with his lordship shall announce your coming. Now, Miss
Lindsay, with my best wishes for your safety and success, I take my
leave; and, as a parting request, I venture to hope you will do me the
justice to say, that Tarleton is not such a graceless sinner as his
enemies have sometimes been pleased to represent him."
These last words were accompanied by a laugh, and a somewhat bluff
courtesy, as the speaker swayed his rigid and ungainly figure into a
succession of awkward bows by which he retreated to the door.
"I shall be happy on all occasions," replied Mildred, whilst the soldier
was thus strenuously playing off the graces of a gallant, "to do justice
to the kindness which I have experienced at Colonel Tarleton's hands."
"There, Mildred," said Henry, when Tarleton had disappeared, "you see
things have gone very pat for us. That comes of letting these fellows
see who they have to deal with. A little powder and ball is a good
letter of recommendation to the best of their gang. If my carbine hadn't
missed fire to-day, Tarleton would have been short by one bottle-holder,
at least, when he set out to steal liquor from the country cupboards."
"It has ended well, brother," replied Mildred, "but it does not become
you to boast of what you have done. It was a rash and dangerous deed,
and had nearly brought ruin upon this friendly family."
"Tut, sister! you are only a woman. You wouldn't have found the colonel
so civil if we hadn't taught him to look after his men."