A TRAP
There is no good reason why I should go into details concerning the
preparations which we made for this reconnoissance when we Minute
Boys of South Carolina were to march shoulder to shoulder with picked
troopers from General Marion’s command.
In fact, we gave very little heed to the details, save to make certain
our horses were in the pink of condition, and our weapons as they
should be. We were so puffed up with pride because of having been
selected as fit companions for the best men in the “ragged regiment,”
as to have little room in our minds for aught else. Nor was our pride
abated next morning when we learned that Captain Horry himself was to
lead the detachment, and Gabriel said to me with an air of satisfaction:
“It must be, William Rufus, that this movement is of more importance
than we had anticipated, else Captain Horry would not march at the
head. We shall have a commander who will not shirk his duty, however
great may be the opposing force we meet.”
And I, my heart warming to the dear lad because of the joy he displayed
in thus being permitted to risk his life, said stoutly:
“We would have a commander equally to be relied on, if the Minute Boys
had been sent out on this mission alone.”
For an instant Gabriel failed to understand my meaning, and then a
deep flush overspread his face as he gripped me by the arm to show his
gratitude.
“You are not warranted in making any such statement, William Rufus,
and I know full well you do so only because of the affection there is
between us two.”
I would have insisted that there could be no change in my sentiments
regarding his ability as a leader whatsoever the feeling we entertained
each for the other, but was interrupted by one of the troopers, who
thrust his head in at the door of our hut, saying in a quiet tone, as
if not minded that all should hear him:
“The order is that all who are to follow Captain Horry shall be in
readiness for the march within five minutes.”
We Minute Boys were not minded that any of the older soldiers should
obey the command more readily, and therefore it was that when Captain
Horry had made his own preparations we were already in the saddle,
standing in a squad by ourselves as if to show that it was our purpose
to hold the company distinct from the troopers.
There was no leave-taking when we departed from the camp, as a matter
of course, for such signs of friendship are not considered, as I have
since learned, seemly in those who follow the profession of arms; but
when we rode out from the encampment General Marion waved his hand in
a friendly manner, most like intending the gesture for his brother’s
eye only.
Once we were on the road, all our company were puffed up with pride,
when Captain Horry called Gabriel to ride in the advance by his
side. This was showing, as we would have it shown, that our leader
was recognized as such, and we placed upon the footing so ardently
desired--that of an independent company. We rode steadily at a brisk
trot for a full hour, and then Gabriel slackened pace that he might
fall back with us lads, I asking, as he pulled his horse in by my side:
“Why did you not continue with the leader? It gave us hearty pleasure
to see you in your proper place at the head of the column.”
“And I am still keeping my proper place, William Rufus, therefore you
need not begin to show jealousy lest the Minute Boys fail to receive
due recognition. The fact is that we are to cut loose from this force
within the next half-hour.”
“And do a little work on our own account?” Archie, having overheard the
words, asked eagerly.
“Ay, that is the way it appears now, although the task is not to my
liking, for through it we stand a good chance of being cut out from our
share of the fight in case the advance-guard of the enemy is come upon.”
“Tell us what you mean?” I cried irritably, for the possibility that
we might be detached in order to prevent our taking full share of the
danger was a blow to my pride.
“In half an hour, as Captain Horry figures, we shall have come to the
crossroads within a couple of miles of the Sinclair plantation, and
no one can say in which direction the enemy may approach. Therefore
is this force to be separated, one party bearing to the left, and the
other halting at Sinclair’s.”
“Then we are like to have an opportunity of going into action on our
own account,” Archie cried gleefully, believing by such a move we might
have an opportunity to show what the Minute Boys could do unaided.
Gabriel was not so sanguine that ours might be the most dangerous task,
and said with an air of gloom, as I fancied:
“I made much the same proposition to Captain Horry, but he insists that
it is an even chance whether his force or ours first comes upon the
redcoats.”
“If the order has been given for us to go to Sinclair’s, it strikes
me it is a waste of breath to argue as to which may be the post of
danger,” Jacob Breen cried, forcing his horse nearer that he might take
part in the conversation, “and it is as important for us Minute Boys
to show that we can obey a command without question, as to prove our
ability to stand against the enemy.”
There was much of sense in what Jacob had said, and I gave over
speculating as to which direction might bring us the best opportunity
to win renown, because of realizing that if we were to prove ourselves
soldiers it was in the highest degree important we show our readiness
to abide by whatsoever decision the commander might make.
“Of course, it is not for us to say that we will go here or there,”
Gabriel added to me in a low tone, “and yet there is in my mind not a
little of disquietude because we are to halt at Sinclair’s to await the
possible coming of the enemy.”
“Meaning that you fear we shall miss the redcoats?” I said with a
laugh, and he replied gravely:
“I know not what it is I fear; but it appears to me, without my being
able to give any reason, that there will be no honor for us this day.”
Having spoken thus strangely, as it seemed to me, Gabriel rode on in
advance once more, and twenty or thirty minutes later we were come
to the crossing of the roads, when without other leave-taking than a
military salute, our leader swung his horse sharply off to the right,
we boys following him in silence.
I question if there was one among us unacquainted with the Sinclair
plantation, and I said to myself that even though it should be our
ill-fortune to miss some brave adventure which the others might come
upon, we could at least console ourselves with the knowledge that a
hearty welcome awaited us, for the master of the plantation was true
to the Cause, but too far advanced in years to take field against the
oppressors.
Gabriel rode moodily in advance, his heart burdened by something which
he could not define, and did not recover his wonted cheerfulness until
we were come within sight of the plantation.
I had supposed that we should be greeted, when we first came upon the
boundary of the estate, by some of the slaves, who would immediately
carry word of our approach to the dwelling, but to my surprise no
living thing was to be seen, even when we arrived at the first row of
huts in the negro quarters and Gabriel, turning suddenly in his saddle,
looked questioningly into my face.
“The place has been abandoned,” I said involuntarily, not crediting my
own words, and Archie Gordon cried:
“Then are the Britishers between us and our people, instead of in
advance, as Captain Horry believes!”
By this time we were come to the main entrance of the house, where the
doors should have been flung wide open at the sound of our horses’
hoofs, for Master Sinclair was noted throughout the Colonies for his
hospitality.
Not a sound could be heard as Gabriel dismounted, beckoning me to do
the same, and the other lads remained in the saddle as we two opened
the door, which was unfastened, and entered the dwelling.
Inside it was as if the family had just stepped out for a moment;
nothing appeared to be disturbed, such as must have been the case in
the event of the redcoats visiting the plantation, for those hirelings
of the king never lost an opportunity to destroy whatsoever of
property they came across which could not be carried away.
We shouted as we went from one apartment to the other, but received no
reply, and then for the first time did Gabriel speak:
“There has been something of disaster here, Rufus, and what it is we
should learn without delay.”
“But I see no signs of wrong-doing, or of trouble. Mayhap the Sinclairs
have gone away for a friendly visit.”
“But why should the dwelling have been left thus deserted with not a
door fastened?”
“I question if Master Sinclair ever believed it necessary to bar his
doors,” was my reply, and at the same time there was much of disquiet
in my mind, for the entire absence of life upon this plantation where I
had ever seen so much of bustle and gaiety, was mystifying.
Having satisfied ourselves that the dwelling was indeed unoccupied,
Gabriel led the way to the front door, and there said to Jacob Breen
and Archie Gordon:
“Ride through the negro quarters and out into the fields, to see if you
may come across any of the servants.”
The lads departed at once, and when Gabriel seated himself on the
edge of the veranda, his chin in his hands as if trying to solve some
difficult problem, Jared Green, forgetting that it was a soldier’s duty
to remain silent until spoken to by his commander, asked with somewhat
of fretfulness in his tone:
“Is there any good reason why we should remain in the saddle while the
sun beats down on us so fiercely?”
“No, lad, I had forgotten my duty,” Gabriel replied gently, looking up
as if just aroused from some dream. “It is well that you stable and
feed your horses while there is opportunity, for we may be in need of
leaving this place hurriedly, when fresh steeds will be of more value
than those that are jaded.”
The lads knew full well where to find quarters for the animals, and
they rode away, taking with them Gabriel’s horse and mine, whereupon
our leader looked at me with mute inquiry in his eyes. There was no
need for him to give words to the question which I saw there.
“I cannot make a guess, lad. It is enough for us, however, that there
are no signs of the British near about, and, as I look at the matter,
we are as clearly bound to remain here on guard as if having found the
family waiting to give us welcome.”
“You are right, Rufus; of that there can be no question, but I would
give all the little I possess were it possible to read correctly the
riddle, for such it is. If Master Sinclair and his family had gone
away for a visit, they surely would not have taken half a hundred
negroes with them. Even though it might not be necessary to leave the
house-servants behind, what about the field-hands?”
While the question remained unanswered Archie and Jacob rode up with
an expression of blank dismay upon their faces.
“There is nothing on this plantation alive, not even poultry,” Archie
cried, leaping from his horse and standing before us as if expecting we
could give an explanation concerning the abandonment of the property,
and Jacob, looking around with something like fear on his face, asked
nervously:
“Where are the other lads?”
“Gone to stable their horses,” I replied, since Gabriel hesitated. “You
had best do the same, and then come back here, bringing the others with
you.”
The two lads rode away, and Gabriel and I remained silent, neither
eager to speak, for there was something ominous in this absence of life
where we had expected to find friends.
Ten minutes later all our company of Minute Boys were grouped in front
of the dwelling, when ensued such a tongue-wagging as can be fancied,
for each had the same question in mind as had Gabriel and I, and all
were equally eager for some solution of the mystifying problem. A full
half-hour must have passed before Gabriel spoke, and then our lads,
having literally talked themselves out, were moving restlessly to and
fro as if fearing some disaster was about to fall upon them.
“There is no good reason why we should continue to puzzle our brains
over a question which we cannot answer,” the lad said with the air and
tone of one who has suddenly decided upon some definite course of
action. “Rufus and I are agreed that the abandonment of the plantation
has not been caused by the arrival of the Britishers, else would we see
signs of their occupation, for it is hardly possible one of the king’s
soldiers can resist the inclination to destroy whatsoever may be within
his reach. Our orders were to remain here a certain length of time that
we might be able to give the alarm if the enemy came this way, and the
fact that the plantation is deserted does not acquit us of that duty.
You have cared for your horses, and now it seems to me that we should
remain inside the building, from the windows of which can be had a good
view of the highway, in order to perform the task assigned us.”
He had but just ceased speaking when the clatter of horse’s hoofs told
that a single rider was approaching, coming from the southward, and
Gabriel turned quickly to open once more the door of the house, as he
said:
“Get under cover, lads, until we know who is coming. It may be that
the British leader has sent out scouts and this is our chance to gain
information.”
It was the same as if he had told us to enter the building, and we did
so, he leading the way to one of the upper rooms, where, by looking
above the tops of the trees, we could have full view of the highway for
half a mile or more in either direction.
We had hardly more than stationed ourselves at the one window in this
room, which was used for storing comparatively useless odds and ends,
when the horseman whose coming had been announced rode into view.
A red-coated trooper, who came on at a leisurely pace as if there was
no reason for making a cautious advance, pulled his horse in at the
private entrance of the plantation as if thoroughly familiar with
the place. Advancing to the steps where we lads had so lately been
standing, he dismounted, allowing his steed to graze wheresoever he
would, and threw himself at full length upon the veranda as if awaiting
the arrival of comrades.
“Now is the chance to take a prisoner,” Jacob Breen whispered
excitedly. “It would be the simplest thing in the world to go down and
capture him.”
“And by so doing take the chances of giving an alarm to whosoever may
be following,” Gabriel replied. “It is our business to learn as much as
possible, rather than carry back an unimportant prisoner.”
“But suppose there are twenty-five or fifty following him; what then?”
Jacob asked, and on the instant there flashed into my mind the thought
that we had willingly entered a trap which had not been baited.
Having ascended to the top of the house, we would be held prisoners
beyond a peradventure if any considerable force came up, and then all
the commander’s plans would fail if that which we knew could not be
imparted to Captain Horry or General Marion.
I was about to give words to these thoughts when I saw by the
expression which suddenly came over Gabriel’s face that he also
realized the folly of which we had been culpable.
“We must find a way out by the rear of the house without his knowing of
our having been here,” he said a moment later, and at the same instant
Archie Gordon whispered excitedly, as he pointed out of the window:
“See! Yonder must be the advance of the entire force which has been
sent against us!”
Then it was we could see coming up the road squads of horsemen, riding
without military formation, and in considerable numbers, the foremost
of whom turned in at the road leading to the house.
There was no time to be lost indeed, even if we yet had an opportunity
of escaping, and immediately Gabriel led the way out of the room to the
only hallway by which one could descend to the lower floor.
He stopped suddenly on the first stair, however, for the man who had
been lounging on the veranda entered the building, as he shouted to
those riding up the path:
“Here are good quarters, save that there are none to welcome us!”
We lads stepped back in a twinkling, narrowly escaping discovery, for
if the fellow had glanced ever so hurriedly up the stairway he must
have seen us, and there was nothing left for the Minute Boys of South
Carolina, who had counted so confidently upon being able to strike a
blow against the king’s forces, save to seek refuge in that same attic
chamber from which was no outlet except the one leading directly among
the enemy, who by this time were entering the building in large numbers.
We had trapped ourselves, and I dare venture to say that never had
would-be soldiers shown themselves more simple. All were equally
culpable, if indeed any should be censured for a natural mistake, but
Gabriel seemed to think he alone was responsible for the disagreeable
position in which we were placed.
“It is better you lads take the command of the Minute Boys away from
me, and give it to some one who can show at least a glimmer of common
sense,” he said bitterly when we had reëntered the room and closed the
door behind us, looking questioningly into each other’s faces. “None
save the veriest fool would have allowed himself, and those who call
him leader, to be put in such a trap as this, and on my shoulders must
fall all the blame.”
So bitter was he upon himself, and in such an attitude did he stand in
front of the closed door, that I actually feared he meditated some mad
act, such as giving himself, as expiation for his mistake, into the
hands of the enemy. Therefore I said soothingly, laying my hand on his
shoulder that I might be ready for any unexpected move on his part:
“No, lad, you shall not take all the blame, for one has been as foolish
as another. We Minute Boys are comrades, rather than soldiers serving
under strict military discipline, and had we suspected what I am
free to admit we should have guessed, then was it our place to make
objection when you proposed coming here. Instead of seeking to fasten
the fault upon one or the other, let us decide what we may do toward
getting out of the trap.”
It was Archie Gordon who replied to me, as he laughed mirthlessly:
“I am fancying we have no need to spend very much time figuring how we
shall get out of here, for the redcoats will attend to all that.”
“There is no reason why they should come into the upper part of the
house while there is so much of plunder below,” I rejoined sternly,
with a faint gleam of comfort appearing amid the clouds of despondency;
but he said, laughing again:
“They may not come upon us through searching for plunder; but it is
reasonable to suppose that upon seeing the horses, which give proof of
having been lately used, they will make it their business to know who
has been riding them.”
I had lost sight entirely of this fact, and it was as if some fresh
disaster caused by our folly had come upon us. Perhaps there had been
in my mind a hopeful thought that we might be able to get out of the
building during the hours of darkness, but now it seemed improbable we
could remain hidden even until night had come.
I will not undertake to set down all that was said in that room by us
despairing lads. We remained conversing in whispers near the window,
where it was possible to have a view of the outside while we ourselves
remained unseen, and it began to appear as if all the king’s troops in
the Carolinas were to rendezvous at the Sinclair plantation.
During the hour which followed our entering the trap that no one had
set, there was hardly a moment when we could not see a greater or less
number coming up the road, until I believed of a verity there were
no less than five hundred horsemen scattered around the estate, or
rummaging through the different buildings.
Very shortly after the first squad had come up, ten or twelve officers
arrived, and they took quarters in the building, consequently the rank
and file were forced to give the place a wide berth. Therefore was
there less fear that we should be discovered immediately, for, judging
from the sounds, those in command of the king’s army were engaged in
feasting, having ransacked the cellars rather than the attics. It was
at the moment when we were hemmed in by such a troop as made it seem
impossible for our friends to deliver us, even though they came in full
force, that Jacob Breen found somewhat of cheer in the situation.
“Since they haven’t already dragged us out from this place, we stand a
fair chance of being able to remain in secret until morning.”
“How have you contrived to figure out any such possibility as that?”
Archie Gordon asked petulantly, and Jacob said with a smile:
“Where so many horses are stabled, ours will attract but little
attention. If the men who have come up last see them, they will believe
the steeds belong to their comrades, and if those who first arrived
should now make the discovery, they would have good reason for
supposing the animals belonged to some of the later arrivals.”
There was no question but that the lad was correct in so far as this
went, and it was indeed a slender thread upon which to build hope, but
when one is in the desperate situation we then were, he is inclined to
catch at any straw whatsoever.
The possibility of remaining yet a few hours longer in that
hiding-place served to cheer us ever so little for a few moments, and
then were we plunged into gloom again, knowing full well the evil
moment could only be postponed for a comparatively brief time.
How that afternoon passed I am unable to say even now, while looking
calmly back upon it. Then I was in such a fever of anxiety and
self-reproach as to be hardly conscious of what I did or said, knowing,
however, that before the day was come to a close all of Tarleton’s or
Wemyss’s followers must have arrived at that one plantation, and on the
road in the rear lay our people, waiting for the information which we
should have carried them.
There was not one among our party who did not realize that having
thus entrapped ourselves, we might bring direst misfortune upon our
people, who, not receiving intelligence from us that the enemy were
near at hand and in such numbers, might advance only to find themselves
overwhelmed.
During the early part of the afternoon the British officers enjoyed
themselves noisily in the room below, but as the day came to a close
all was hushed, while sentinels were stationed, so far as we could
see, around the house to prevent the troopers from disturbing the
repose of their superiors, for it seemed probable these representatives
of the king had ministered to their appetites until sleep became a
necessity.
We lads, tired of standing, and not daring to move around the room
lest the noise of our footsteps should betray us, sat or lay upon the
floor as fancy dictated, but Gabriel remained close by the door as if
studying profoundly, while I crouched by his side, attempting now and
then to beguile him into conversation.
When the sun had set we could see the gleam of fires here and there
about the grounds, showing where the soldiers were encamped in the
open air, and I said to myself that even though we might succeed in
leaving the building, there was little possibility we could make our
way undetected past the sentinels and idle soldiery.
The evening was well along when Gabriel began drawing off his boots,
and I, not dreaming of the plan in his mind, followed his example,
thinking he was making ready to move about because his limbs were
cramped, as were mine.
“You are not to go,” he whispered sharply, laying his hand upon mine,
and I, like the simple that I was, asked in surprise:
“Go where?”
“I count on making an attempt to get away from this place, but there
is little hope that two could accomplish it undetected. Because it is
through my stupidity that we Minute Boys are here in this trap, I am
the one who should undertake all the risks.”
“You would venture down-stairs and then out upon the grounds, which
are lighted up by the many camp-fires?” I asked incredulously, and he
nodded his head emphatically.
“Then I shall go with you.”
“You will do no such thing, Rufus Randolph! Even though I have been
a fool, you must still admit I stand as leader of the party, and my
orders are to be obeyed. One may do what two could not.”
“But suppose you succeed in getting out of the house, what then? You
cannot hope to travel on foot so far as will be necessary to come upon
our people.”
“All that will be as it may chance,” he replied. “Some move must be
made immediately, for although we have remained here undetected since
noon, there is no possibility, when the troopers have orders to march,
that our horses will not be discovered as belonging to strangers. As
you count it, the danger to you in remaining is greater than may come
to me in trying to get away.”
By this time nearly all of our comrades, seeing Gabriel removing his
boots and holding conversation with me, believed that some plan for
relief was in the wind, and gathered round us asking more questions
than could have been answered throughout the entire night.
Gabriel put an end to the idle talk by stating in a whisper, yet
sufficiently loud for all to hear, what we would do, and laying his
commands upon every one to remain where he was, at least until it was
positive that he had gotten well clear of the building, or had been
taken prisoner.
“After that, if it so be any of you are minded to tempt fate, then make
the attempt,” he said. “As for me, if fortune favors, instead of trying
to find Captain Horry, I shall travel straight back on the road down
which the general and his followers are riding. Now let me go without
further words, and if ill betide me, then have I no more than paid the
debt I owe you lads for having led you into this trap.”
It would have been childish for us to have made any further protest.
The dear lad was doing no more than any of the party would have been
willing to attempt, and it was absolutely necessary that great risks be
taken if we were to come out of that place at liberty.
I could not believe but that the work should have been given to me
rather than him, and would have urged my claim, but he cut me off
sharply by saying:
“You are to stay here in my place, Rufus, and will prove a better
leader for the Minute Boys than I have shown myself, of that there can
be no doubt.”
He was lifting the latch even as he spoke, and before I could detain
him further had passed out into the gloom of the hallway, leaving us
standing there with baited breath, our ears strained to catch the
slightest sound which should tell of his having been discovered.
No sound save the hum of voices on the outside, or the heavy tread
below as the officers moved from one room to another, came to us, and,
not daring to hope that he had succeeded in getting down the entire
flight of stairs, we remained there like statues, hardly daring to
breathe lest by inflating our lungs we give the signal which would be
that of death to our comrade whom we loved so dearly.