THE PURSUIT
As has already been said, I seized one of the paddles immediately upon
jumping aboard the skiff, and when Archie Gordon shoved off the frail
craft he possessed himself of the blade which lay in the bow of the
boat.
It is hardly necessary to say that neither of us needed urging, but
began to send the light craft ahead at the fastest possible pace, and
Gabriel Marion was not one whit behind us in making ready for the
flight. When he would have joined his efforts to ours, however, thus
making it necessary for us to work two paddles on one side with only
one opposite them, I said in a tone no wise like a command, but rather
as a suggestion:
“You had best give all your mind to steering, Gabriel, for we shall
make better speed, Archie and I, if it is not necessary for us to look
to the course.”
And he, mindful of others, as the dear lad ever was, whispered
warningly:
“Bend as low to your work as possible, for we are like to have a shower
of lead when the bloody-backs shall have come up from behind the
bushes.”
Desperate as our strait was, and knowing full well our very lives
depended upon the efforts we made at that time, I ventured to look back
over my shoulder in order to learn what that traitorous Seth Hastings
might be doing, and at the same time to register a vow that if God
spared my life I would some day repay him in full for this piece of
wanton treachery.
The cur was hanging back behind the soldiers whom he had piloted, as if
fearing we might make some attack and his precious skin thereby receive
injury, while the redcoats were pushing on as eagerly as dogs do after
a fox, unslinging their muskets as they came, and I whispered, to give
greater emphasis to Gabriel’s warning:
“We are like to catch it hot precious soon now, for the bloody-backs
are making ready to fire.”
“Save your breath, lad, save your breath! Whatsoever we may say now
will not change the situation by a hair’s breadth, and verily are we
needing both strength and wind if, peradventure, they fail to hit all
three of us at the first volley.”
Never before, even while engaged in a friendly contest of skill, had I
worked so desperately at the paddle. It was a stout ashen blade, yet it
bent like a bow betwixt the resistance of the water and the pressure
of my hands; at another time, when the stakes were less than life
itself, I could not have hoped to curve the wood however slightly. I
dare venture to say that Archie Gordon was putting forth every ounce
of his strength even as I was of mine, for the lad had good pluck and
a strong arm, together with sufficient of temper to lend fictitious
vigor at such a moment.
Save as I have already set down, our flight was made in silence,
except for the music of the water as it rippled against the sides of
the skiff, telling of the speed we were making, and although less than
a minute had really elapsed since we pushed out into the current, it
seemed to me that a full quarter of an hour must have sped before we
heard the rattle of musketry and the singing of the bullets as they
passed above our heads.
The king’s men overshot their mark, otherwise the aim was good, for had
the weapons been depressed ever so little some of the missiles must
have found their billets in our bodies.
Once the muskets had been discharged I felt a sense of wondrous relief,
for now must we have a respite during such time as would be required
for the enemy to recharge the weapons, and I laughed aloud even while
expending every ounce of strength upon the paddle, whereat Gabriel said
in a tone of irritation:
“The situation may not be so comical when next they fire,” and Archie
replied in a tone that warmed my heart:
“They won’t shoot until after having reloaded, and we will crow while
we have the opportunity.” Then, half-turning, he shouted over his
shoulder to that miserable cur of a Seth Hastings, “If it so be we give
your hounds the slip this time, Seth, my boy, I’ll undertake to come
back to Charleston as soon as may be--surely before any other can take
your precious life, and repay the score which you have set for us to
wipe out.”
No fellow could have resisted the temptation, however great the need of
his laboring at the paddle, to look back in order to note what effect
these words had upon the traitor, and, glancing at him an instant, I
fancied I saw, even at such a distance, the gray pallor of fear come
over his face. Certain it is he slackened pace, while the soldiers,
instead of recharging their weapons, were making their way along the
shore at full speed in chase of us, as if forgetting that it was upon
their muskets and not their legs they must rely.
“Keep to your work, lads,” Gabriel whispered warningly. “The cost of
bantering words may be too great, and we cannot afford to receive even
the slightest wound if peradventure it can be avoided.”
He had the right to take command at that moment, for I question
if he had turned his eyes ever so slightly, however great was the
provocation; but kept his gaze straight up-stream that we might not
deviate from the direct course by so much as a single inch. However, he
knew full well that we could not fail of being eager to know whether
our pursuers were gaining on us, and said after a brief pause:
“Work the paddles as you have begun, and we may give them the slip,
even though the odds seem so great against us. I will tell you what
they are about.”
Then, as we forced the light skiff ahead, literally lifting her on the
water, he called out whenever there was any change in the situation,
thus picturing to us what we had no time to gaze at.
“The soldiers are still running, and have not stopped to reload
their weapons--Seth Hastings has turned about as if afraid to join
in the chase--I can see no craft along the shore, and yet it must be
the redcoats know of one, else why do they continue on foot instead
of recharging their muskets? When one of you fellows gets winded,
change places with me, for this speed must not be slackened! Now the
bloody-backs have halted and are reloading--one has taken aim! Crouch
low, boys! Crouch low!”
Even as he spoke came the crackling of a weapon. A bullet struck the
gunwale of the skiff within two inches of Archie’s hand, and I was
dismayed because only a single gun had been fired. If they shot at us
in a volley, the agony of anticipation would soon be over, whereas if
each fired when he was ready we must be in continual apprehension of
being hit.
“Look out now, another man is making ready!” Gabriel continued, and a
second later came the report of his weapon, followed almost immediately
by a third and a fourth, whereat our helmsman shouted as if victory was
assured:
“Every bullet went wild! They are getting too much excited to be able
to take aim! Keep the pace five minutes longer, and I dare venture to
say we shall be out of range! Let me spell one of you now!”
[Illustration: “‘FIVE MINUTES LONGER AND WE SHALL BE OUT OF RANGE!’”]
“Stay where you are!” I shouted hoarsely. “We cannot afford to change
places at such a time as this!”
I might go on telling of this chase until whosoever may read would be
wearied with the repetition of words, and at the same time fail in
attempting to portray all the feverish excitement which was ours during
the short race, for it was as if I lived an hour in every moment.
Although perhaps no more than ten minutes elapsed from the time we
swung the skiff out into the current until the soldiers turned back,
understanding it was folly to pursue us further, it seemed to me as if
the day was already spent when Gabriel cried:
“Take it easy, lads; we are free from that squad at least, and if it so
be the king has not in South Carolina men who can shoot with truer aim,
then are we likely to live to a ripe old age, so far as danger from
leaden missiles is concerned.”
It was high time the race had come to an end, for I was so nearly spent
with the frantic efforts that it is a question whether I could have
swung the paddle a dozen times more, even though knowing that my life
depended upon the effort, and Archie Gordon was in no better physical
condition than I, seeing which, Gabriel came amidships with his
steering paddle, continuing to force the light craft ahead as he said
cheerily:
“Lie back and take it easy, lads, for I can well do considerably more
than stem this current,” and he made his words good, paddling with rare
skill; it is no easy matter to keep a craft in the true direction with
but one blade, for the best of boatmen will send her yawing from side
to side however much they may struggle to prevent it.
Archie and I sat in the bottom of the skiff limp as rags, now the
excitement was over, breathing like broken-winded horses, but with
a hymn of thanksgiving in our hearts that we had escaped from those
who would have sent us to that which was worse than death itself--the
prison-ships; and when it was possible for me to speak so that the
words could be understood by those who heard, I said, as if believing
myself the son of a prophet:
“Who shall say now that we lads may not be able to work benefit to the
Cause, if at the very outset of our attempt we have been able to thwart
the plan of a traitor while we ourselves were the same as unarmed and
caught in a trap? Surely after arriving where we may be put on the
footing of soldiers, it will be possible for us to do men’s work.”
Well was it for me that we mortals are denied the privilege of looking
into the future, for if I had known that one of us three lads was to
meet a treacherous death before we were well started in our work as
“Minute Boys,” then might I have turned my back in dismay upon the
task, and the aid which we were enabled to give the Cause would have
been lacking at the very time when it was of greatest avail.
However, it is not for me to look forward while setting down these poor
accounts of what we lads of South Carolina did, and although the grief
is as fresh in my heart now as on that terrible day, I must strive to
repress it in order that that which I am trying to tell shall run on in
proper sequence of events.
“We had best not crow too soon or too loudly,” Archie Gordon said
grimly. “Although we may travel from here to Snow’s Island without
further difficulty, and then be able to accomplish all we propose to
do, there will be no good reason for congratulations until we have
served out that cowardly traitor, who, without provocation, would have
compassed our death.”
“If we are able to labor for the Cause it must be with a singleness
of purpose,” Gabriel Marion said gravely, and one might have thought
it was his elder brother who spoke, for the tone and words were not
such as one would expect from a lad like him. “I grant you that Seth
Hastings must receive due reward for what he has done; but so long as
the king’s soldiers remain in South Carolina, so long must we put aside
every thought save that of driving them from the soil! And now, since
we have hardly but begun the long journey, and have our faces turned
toward many a danger, instead of talking of revenge and boasting of our
escape, let us do all we may toward carrying out this first portion of
the plan Rufus has formed, as a first step toward which, one of you
had better take a swing at the paddle, thus giving me a better show of
sending the craft ahead at proper pace.”
“We will do better than that,” I cried, springing to my feet, ashamed
of having remained idle so long. “Neither Archie nor I need any more
coddling,” and even as I spoke our brave little comrade dipped his
paddle into the water once more, causing the skiff to dash swiftly
forward again, heading as directly for our destination--Gabriel’s
home--as the winding of the channel would permit.
And now, lest I set down too many words in the telling of what should
be a short tale, I will make no attempt at recording that which we said
or did while sailing up Cooper River, but content myself with putting
down the fact that shortly after daybreak next morning we were come to
the landing which led to the house where my parents, as I have already
said, had found a refuge. Neither is it necessary for me to describe
the greetings which were ours, nor how my heart swelled with pride and
joy as I heard my father say, even while mother was pressing me to her
bosom, as if I had but lately come from the very jaws of death:
“You and your companions have done well, Rufus, to take upon yourselves
the work of men. In these times children must grow old rapidly that
they may fill the place and do the work of those whom the king’s
hirelings kill and maim.”
It was as if I felt my mother shudder when father spoke these words
which told that he was in full accord with our purpose to become
soldiers, but never a word of remonstrance did she utter. Looking back
now, I can understand that she resolutely put far away the motherly
love which would shelter and protect her child, allowing us three lads
to think she was only concerned in our welfare as she busied herself
either in giving orders, or in performing the bitter work herself of
preparing an outfit for us who were to depart as soon as might be.
Father told us what we already knew, that General Marion had gone to
Snow’s Island, there to await the gathering of such as were ready to
join him in the forlorn hope that we could beat back the invader even
while his hands were upon our throat; and he advised that we remain
where we were during four and twenty hours, saying in explanation of
this advice, which might seem strange when one knew all the exigencies
of the situation:
“It is hardly probable you can make all the necessary arrangements
in a shorter time, and, besides, if you start from here fresh, the
journey will be made in better time than if you set out already weary.
I envy you, lads, the privilege of striking a blow in defence of the
Carolinas. Would to God I might be able to play a man’s part, instead
of remaining here like some helpless child!”
Then it was that Gabriel Marion deftly turned the conversation, noting
that my father was sorely troubled because of his helplessness at a
time when men were so sadly needed, and asked whether it was known if
many had joined his brother, whereupon my father replied:
“I question if that be probable. Only Captain Horry and half a dozen of
the neighbors set off with him. It may be that their numbers have been
doubled by this time, but I doubt if their force is much increased,
for many there be in South Carolina, I am ashamed to say, who deem it
wiser at this time to serve the king rather than their own country.”
Then we discussed as to which road it would be wisest to follow, and
father held consultation with some of the older negroes who were
familiar with the swamp and the country near about, until by nightfall
we had not only mapped out a course, but were provided with an outfit
such as was not to be despised in those days.
Old Peter, one of General Marion’s house-servants, had volunteered to
act as our guide across the swamp, and we accepted the service readily,
knowing that his master would be pleased at our bringing him, while at
the same time he could save us many a needless mile in the journey.
It was his advice that we strike across the country to what was known
as Charleston road, following that boldly up until we came to the
highway leading to Indian Village, after which we would take to the
woods for a short cut to Snow’s Island. By such a course we would come
upon the different ferries, and thus have no trouble in crossing the
streams unless, perchance, enemies were between us and our destination.
When one has fought and aided in the whipping of a king backed by
a great nation, when one has stood a tiny atom in a ragged line of
battle facing the on-coming of well-drilled, well-equipped European
soldiers, and taken part in the crushing of that great machine into
a panic-stricken mob, filling the brain with the heat of that fever
which comes in the excitement of battle, it is dull telling simply of
the march and of the bivouac. Perhaps because I cannot yet be called
a man I linger in the setting down of that which we did where renown
was won, than as to how we made our peaceful way from one part of the
country to another. Therefore, if I err in describing with too little
detail such part of my life while I was numbered among the “Minute Boys
of South Carolina,” as were dull or uneventful, the fault must be set
down to my great desire to hurry forward into those scenes of moment.
It seems to me it should suffice if I say that on the morning after
our arrival at Gabriel Marion’s home we departed. I need not say
aught concerning that last embrace of my mother’s, or repeat father’s
blessing, which he bestowed on us all.
Old Peter, carrying even more of our stores upon his aged back than
was right, yet insisting upon bearing the greater portion of the
burden, went on in advance as a guide, mounted on as good a horse as
either of us lads rode. We had taken from General Marion’s plantation
whatever might advantage us in the work, for anything he owned was at
the service of his country. Thus it was we journeyed like soldiers, in
the saddle, although we followed old Peter’s advice and carried all
our belongings upon our backs, the negro arguing that at any moment we
might come upon the enemy, and in case of being forced to take to the
woods, where we could not use the horses, we would not go empty-handed
if preparations for flight had been made in advance.
It chafed me not a little that at the very outset we should be
preparing for defeat, but my father had backed up old Peter, and
Gabriel Marion stoutly insisted that as we proposed to be good
soldiers, so should we obey the first commands given by those who had
the right to dictate--meaning in this case my father, not old Peter.
We rode on merrily, our only care being the possible danger which might
be in advance of us, never dreaming of anything to be feared in the
rear; making the journey across country to the Charleston road before
the day was more than half-spent, and halting at night less than a mile
south of Gardine’s Ferry.
We spent no time in making camp, for none was needed. The horses were
picketed in a small grove of cottonwood-trees, and we made a meal from
the cooked provisions which we brought with us, after which every
member of the party, even including the guide, lay down upon the ground
wherever he pleased, giving no heed to keeping guard, because in our
ignorance we lost sight of the possibility that the enemy might even at
that moment be near at hand.
I question if it be not more wearying to spend a day in the saddle, to
one who had not ridden for many months, than to walk during that length
of time. For my part, I was thoroughly tired out when I threw myself
upon the ground with no more care as to a bed than to use my saddle for
a pillow, and it was as if I had just composed myself to rest when I
drifted off into slumber-land.
It seemed as if I had no more than closed my eyes in rest when I
was awakened by being shaken violently, and on first returning to
consciousness I heard old Peter whispering in my ear:
“Rouse up, Marse Randolph, I’se allowin’ dem British sojers am near by.”
I was awake on the instant, and then understood, from the absence of
the moon, which had been shining when I fell asleep, that the night was
more than half-gone. My comrades were already awake and on their feet,
and Gabriel was saying in an anxious whisper as I joined them:
“It’s certain that a party of horsemen have gone on up the road, for I
heard the trample of hoofs even as old Peter awakened me. It stands us
in hand to know whether they be friend or foe.”
“Why should it concern us, if so be they travel rapidly enough to keep
out of our way?” I asked like a simple, and Gabriel, true lad that
he was, replied gently when he would have been warranted in speaking
sharply:
“We must know what lies ahead of us, else are we like to ride into
danger as do those who are blindfolded.”
“And how do you count on finding out?” I asked irritably, for it vexed
me to thus be deprived of the rest I needed.
“One of us must follow until it is certain the strangers have not gone
into camp, and at daybreak the others may bring up the horses. I am
ready to act as scout, and you fellows may lie down again with the
understanding that one or the other stand guard during the remainder of
the night. Instead of showing ourselves worthy to become soldiers, we
have acted like children in making camp as we did, for the first duty
should have been to station a sentinel.”
“You shall not go on alone,” I said, now ashamed because of having
given heed only to my own desires, and Archie stoutly claimed the right
to go with us.
We might have argued on this question until another day had come, had
not Gabriel said hurriedly:
“Since neither of you will take advantage of the opportunity to sleep,
we’ll all go, and if by daylight old Peter has heard nothing concerning
us, he shall come up the road with the horses.”
As Gabriel said, so we did, and with our weapons charged, for we had
left General Marion’s plantation fully equipped, we advanced swiftly,
yet with due heed lest we overrun the quarry, leaving behind old
Peter in a very disagreeable frame of mind, for his last words were a
complaint that he was to be left in the rear when it was his duty to
lead the way.
Not until we had travelled twenty minutes or more did I ask myself what
was to be done in case we learned that the horsemen who had passed our
camping-place were soldiers, and then I put the question to Gabriel.
“That shall be decided later,” he replied quietly, and one would
have fancied he had been bred to the trade of a soldier, so calm and
collected was he at this time when we might be running our necks into a
noose. “If the party is made up of bloody-backs we may be certain they
have learned of General Marion’s whereabouts, and are hoping to entrap
him, in which event we must make a détour in order to gain the advance,
that we may warn those who are at Snow’s Island. In case it should be
so that we might, without too much risk, make a capture, why, then, I
say, let us take such prisoners as is in our power, and, on arriving at
the rendezvous, have something to prove our ability to act the part of
soldiers.”
It seemed to me that our business was to arrive at Snow’s Island as
quickly as might be, without any regard for prisoners or picking up
information; but plainly Gabriel was fitted to be the commander of our
little party, and I held my peace, although stoutly rebelling at the
idea of undertaking the trade of a soldier before having made other
preparations than that of arming ourselves.
After this brief conversation we continued on in silence, but at a
rapid pace, and soon came to know that those in advance were in no
great haste to arrive at their destination, for we heard the hoof-beats
of horses in the distance, and once more Gabriel said:
“We will follow without making any attempt to overtake them, during an
hour or more, and then if there is no change we must close up, for I
am not minded to walk at their heels like a dog until daybreak.”
He had no more than ceased speaking when the sounds in the distance
increased, and I came to a halt without waiting for orders; but Archie
Gordon forced me on as he whispered:
“They are making camp, most likely, and now will we have the
opportunity of finding out who they are, if so be we press on before
they lie down.”
Gabriel spoke no word, but, taking each of us by the arm, plunged
straight into the bushes for twenty yards or more, and then advanced
cautiously until it was possible for us to hear the sound of voices.
Now we wormed our way amid the foliage like Indians, taking care lest
the breaking of a dry twig beneath our feet should betray us, and
before ten minutes had passed were where we could see a portion of the
party we had been pursuing.
A small fire was already built, and around it were gathered four or
five men clad in the uniform of the king’s soldiers, while here and
there amid the bushes which grew close down to the side of the road,
flitted dark figures not to be distinguished in the gloom, but which we
knew were others of the enemy.
“What are they doing here?” Archie asked, as if he had forgotten we
were on the road leading from Charleston, and Gabriel replied in a
hoarse whisper:
“The chances are they have been sent to Snow’s Island, or else are in
pursuit of us.”
“That last can hardly be true,” I said, again showing how simple I
was. “The British commander would not think it necessary to send out so
large a party for three unarmed boys.”
“Ay, but suspecting, as they must if Seth Hastings told them my name,
that we are bound for General Marion’s rendezvous, it would be only
wise to send a sufficient force to capture all the rebels that might be
found at the end of the journey.”
With this Gabriel crept yet nearer the camp-fire, and we followed him,
moving ever so slowly, but halting not until having come within twenty
feet or less, when it was possible to distinguish some of the words
which were spoken.
As we lay there, hardly daring to breathe lest our presence should
be betrayed, many of those who had been caring for the horses joined
their comrades, and all appeared to be in the best of humor, but to our
disappointment nothing was said regarding the purpose of their journey.
Therefore we remained as much in the dark as before until suddenly
there came between us and the glare of the camp-fire a figure which
caused me to grip Gabriel’s arm fiercely even as Archie Gordon’s hand
was pressing upon my shoulder as if he would bury his nails in my flesh.
Little wonder was it that we were filled with both surprise and
alarm at the sight of this newcomer, for he was none other than that
villainous renegade, Seth Hastings! It needed now no word from the men
to tell us why they were here. That Seth had explained who Gabriel was,
there could be no question, and because the cur was ignorant of the
fact that my mother and father had fled to General Marion’s plantation,
he had supposed we were making directly for Snow’s Island.
That the whelp had offered his services as guide there was not the
slightest doubt in my mind, and yet even at that time, when my anger
and surprise were so great as to be nearly overwhelming, I asked myself
again and again why it was that he, who had professed friendship for
all three of us lads, should be doing what was in his power to compass
our death. He was pursuing us like an avenger, and yet, rack my brain
as I might, I could think of no act, however trifling, which he might
have construed as against himself.
It was while I lay thus in a maze of perplexity, and perhaps fear, that
Gabriel Marion pressed my hand significantly as he began to retrace
his way through the bushes, and, as a matter of course, Archie and I
followed, although it seemed to both of us at the time as if it were
wiser to remain within sight of that villainous cur in the hope of
putting a speedy end to his evil-doing.