A QUEER MESSAGE
It was fortunate for me that, not being in any way connected with the
command of the Minute Boys, there was nothing for me to do in the way
of making ready to receive the enemy, otherwise I might have given
evidence of the timorousness which was in my heart. To have seen
Gabriel at that moment one would have said he had been born a soldier,
for after drawing us up in line just behind a small shed, he moved
here and there swiftly, taking heed to every fellow’s equipment, and
assuring himself that all were in proper trim for the work before them.
My courage came back ever so little when the dear lad thus showed
himself eager for a brush with the enemy, and I saw that all my
comrades were in good spirits because at last were we to show our faces
to the foe in regular battle. Then came to my mind the unpleasant
question as to how many redcoats might be advancing upon us, and I said
to myself that if I could know exactly what information the scouts had
brought, then would it be possible to assume a braver air; but this
standing in line, uncertain whether one hundred or one thousand were
advancing against us, was by no means pleasant.
However, and perhaps fortunately for me, we were not kept long in
suspense. Before the remainder of General Marion’s following were well
prepared for that which was to come, the thunder of horses’ hoofs
could be heard near at hand, and by the noise I judged that a large
force--perhaps an entire battalion--was approaching within range.
As we afterward learned, this was a portion of Wemyss’s command, which
had been scouring the country to the northward, and were thus come upon
us through being on their way to rejoin the commander at Georgetown.
It was as if we no sooner heard the hoof-beats than the entire line of
red came out from amid the foliage, the men riding four abreast, and
deploying into line immediately after leaving the shelter of the trees.
At the right and at the left of us Minute Boys were our people drawn
up under such cover as could be had, and therefore it was that we lads
stood in the centre of the line where most like the hardest part of the
fighting would come.
On understanding this, Gabriel said in a low, sharp tone as he walked
to and fro in front of us, evidently striving to repress his excitement:
“Now is the time, lads, when we may show whether we are worthy to
be called soldiers. It is for us to do a little more than our duty,
because as yet we are untried. Therefore let each look well to himself,
for when this action is come to an end we shall be counted as able
to stand shoulder to shoulder with our elders, or be pronounced
striplings not worthy to bear arms in the Cause.”
I know not whether these words gave more heart to my comrades, but
certain it is that at the time I hardly knew what he said, so intent
was I in gazing upon that crimson stream which continued to pour out
from among the green leaves as if it would never come to an end. While
I was wondering how many of us would fall at the first volley, the word
to open fire was passed along the line, and in a twinkling the smoke
enveloped us like a cloud from amid which could be seen tiny jets of
flame as those men, more slow to obey the command than their comrades,
discharged here and there a musket.
In less than thirty seconds it was impossible for us to take aim
because we could no longer see the enemy, and then came that
intoxication which I have ever felt when assailed by fumes of gunpowder.
It was afterward told me that we did not stand there in line more than
five minutes, but I could have sworn that at least half an hour passed
from the time the command to fire was given, until the troopers who
were on the left of us rushed forward from the shelter of the building
like a swarm of angry hornets, the word being passed along the line for
us to cease firing lest we shoot our own friends.
More than one of our company of Minute Boys would have broken line in
order to follow those who were charging upon the enemy, but Gabriel
held them in place by saying:
“Stand firmly, lads; it is your duty to await the word of command. We
were ordered to take position here, and here we shall remain until
different commands are given.”
It surprised me to find all of our little company yet unhurt. I heard
the whistle of bullets above my head, and could see here and there
upon the shed behind us white spots which told where the missiles had
splintered the wood, therefore had felt certain our loss must have been
considerable.
“The Britishers don’t know how to take aim,” Archie Gordon cried in a
tone of triumph as he gazed to the right and to the left without seeing
any person who appeared to be wounded. “Look yonder, and you will learn
the difference between our way of fighting and theirs!” He pointed to
where our people were already overrunning the enemy’s line, and here
and there red blotches on the ground told where the redcoats lay dead
or wounded.
We saw among them so many that it seemed as if we must have brought
down a full quarter of their number, and again went up a ringing cheer
of triumph, for already half of the general’s force was driving the
enemy before them, and that enemy supposed to be well-disciplined,
seasoned soldiers who had fought on many a field.
Again had General Marion’s “ragged regiment” whipped the redcoats in so
short a time as would seem, to one not on the field, almost incredible.
Were it not that those men who make a trade of writing history have
described each of these engagements of ours, giving us of South
Carolina even more credit than I have dared to set down here, I should
fear that he who may read these lines at some time in the future, might
accuse me of trying to draw the long bow. In all these encounters we
had met British soldiers who were thoroughly well-trained in the art
of warfare--if indeed the killing of people be an art--and yet had
driven them before us when more than once they numbered ten times our
strength. Therefore am I prompted to give my explanation of how this
was brought about:
Let it be understood that I do not set myself up as an authority in
such matters, being as yet called a boy, for in years I have not
arrived at man’s estate, but one who has taken part in this struggle
for liberty may be allowed an opinion as to why the “ragged regiment”
were able to thus best the enemy. Both Tarleton and Wemyss, when
pursuing General Marion, had enlisted as many Tories as could be
persuaded to join them; these same renegades, being even greener at the
work than we, and not animated by a love of country and home, as were
our people, were the first to turn tail when the bullets came thickly.
It is said by those who know, that there is nothing so contagious as
the panic of fear, and I am allowing that these Tories spread that
contagion in every engagement we fought.
Then again, and it really begins to seem as if I were making some
apology for the British, the king’s troops were accustomed to fight
only in line of battle. Therefore when we sought cover, following the
example of the Indians, they, not accustomed to standing before an
unseen enemy, grew cowardly at being shot down when no person was in
sight.
Perhaps it was needless for me to set down all these words, but as I
think of the many times we met the foe and vanquished him, when by all
the rules of war our people should have been wiped out entirely, I have
the fear that whosoever reads what I have written will set me down as a
braggart, even though proof of my statement may be had by referring to
what wise men have said concerning the matter.
When those of our people who stood on the left of the Minute Boys’ line
had disappeared in pursuit of the fleeing foe, there were left in the
encampment a hundred or more men in addition to our company. One of
these, who claimed to have the rank of captain, but I know not with
what right, took command, ordering us lads to march around to the other
side of the building in order that we might act as sentinels against a
possible attack from the southward.
It was not for us to question any one’s authority at such a time, for
we knew full well that some such service was needed, but it went sadly
against the grain, for even I had become eager to fight now that the
first flush of fear had passed away.
During the hour which followed each of us paced to and fro on such
beats as had been assigned by Gabriel, hearing nothing, seeing nothing
to betoken a struggle between the enemy, although we knew full well
that somewhere in the distance, and not very far away, our people were
striving to kill, or struggling to prevent others from killing them.
Then, squad by squad, those who had gone in pursuit returned looking
victorious, but the most ominous thing to me, in this victory, was the
fact that they brought with them no prisoners.
When General Marion and Captain Horry, who were among the last in
returning, as they had been the first in pursuing the redcoats, came
up, they called about them a dozen or more of the men, and while we
lads, in obedience to orders, brought out the horses from where they
had been picketed in the dwelling, this little group held a council of
war.
At the end of another hour orders were given for us to mount, and we
rode slowly away, covering, mayhap, a distance of six miles, when we
found ourselves at the plantation of Henry Davis.
Here word was given to make camp once more, and at the same time it was
intimated that we would not be allowed to remain idle save until the
following morning.
We Minute Boys, after having cared for the horses, threw ourselves down
on the ground in a group, as was our custom, each fellow looking gloomy
and disappointed. No one seemed disposed to start a conversation, and
all remained silent while around us the men were making merry over this
last victory, which was counted to be greater than any other, because
we had met the redcoats in fair fight when they, not we, were the
attacking party.
It was while we were lying there in apparent despondency that an
elderly man, by the name of Paul Sawyer, who could ride a horse with
firmer seat, and fire a musket with truer aim than many of the younger
men, came up, looking at us for a moment in surprise, after which he
said with a laugh, as if he saw in us something comical:
“Is this a party of mutes getting ready for a funeral?”
No one made reply, and after surveying us again for what seemed to me a
long while, he asked cheerily:
“Why are you lads so down in the dumps? Is it possible that the
escape of Seth Hastings, disquieting though it may be, can cover your
faces with gloom when you should be joining yonder men who have given
themselves over to rejoicing?”
“Those who are making merry have a right to do so, for they have done
good work this day,” Gabriel replied moodily. “We are ready to give
them all praise, but at the same time it is not in the hearts of lads,
or men for that matter, to be cheery under disappointment like ours,
for we may ride many a day without having another such opportunity.”
“What mean you, lad?” Master Sawyer asked in perplexity. “What
opportunity have the others had that you did not share?”
“That of showing what we might do in such an engagement as has just
passed,” Gabriel replied. “After it was known we were to stand for the
first time face to face with the redcoats, we believed the moment had
come when we might show to our elders that we were worthy to march with
them.”
“Well, have you not shown it, lad?”
“How could we, sir? Our place in line was where we had every reason to
expect hot work, and yet the men on our left bore all the brunt. We
simply remained there, not being allowed to take part in the chase, and
at a time when we might have struck a blow, were set to doing sentry
duty.”
“So you think the Minute Boys have not had a chance to prove whether it
be in them to make soldiers, eh?” Master Sawyer said with a quizzical
expression on his face, and having thus spoken, he wheeled sharply
around, walking straight toward Master Davis’s dwelling.
Archie Gordon said, as the old man strode away with a bearing of
strength and agility that a younger might have envied:
“If I could ride as he does, and keep from my face all show of fear
as he is able to do, then would I force the members of this ‘ragged
regiment’ to call me comrade!”
“We must earn that right!” Jared Green cried quickly, “and we will do
so, else am I much mistaken, for, unfortunately, yet many a weary day
must pass before we can say that the invaders have been driven from the
soil of the Carolinas.”
Then we fell to talking of what it might yet be possible for us Minute
Boys to do, growing more cheerful each moment, until General Marion and
Captain Horry came up, halting directly in front of us.
“It is no more than right that I should praise you for what has been
done this day,” the commander said abruptly. “You showed the best of
soldierly qualities by remaining at the post assigned, instead of
joining in the chase, which I know must have been a great temptation to
disobedience, and, in addition, gave good proof that we can count on
you as upon any others in the force. More than once during the little
action did I observe you carefully, and it made my heart warm to see
you stand up before that fire like well-seasoned soldiers.”
“We are not deserving such praise, sir,” I ventured to interrupt, “and
I much fear you have been led to speak these kindly words by Master
Sawyer, who was pleased to make sport of us because we were looking
mournful at having lost an opportunity to prove ourselves.”
“In much of that you are right, lad. It was Master Sawyer called my
attention to the fact that the Minute Boys were bewailing what they
were pleased to call their ill-fortune, but before he spoke Captain
Horry and myself had commented in warm terms upon your bearing under
fire, and it was my purpose to repeat later what I have just said.
Therefore Master Sawyer had no other hand in it than to hasten the
time. Nor are we two alone in believing that you behaved yourselves in
goodly fashion, for I have heard more than one of the troopers give you
full meed of praise. Keep on as you have begun, and I shall feel proud
of having such lads under my command.”
With these words the general turned away, leaving us staring at each
other like stupids, hardly knowing whether to laugh or frown. We could
not disbelieve him, yet it seemed impossible we had fairly won any such
commendation.
“It seems as if we have very little idea of what the Minute Boys have
done,” Archie said laughingly. “Who shall say but that one day we will
find ourselves famous throughout all the Colonies without having been
aware of doing anything out of the ordinary.”
Gabriel’s face was actually radiant with joy because of what his
brother had said, and I fancied he was on the point of giving words to
that which was in his mind, when a young girl, perhaps no more than
fourteen years old, appeared suddenly from around the corner of the
dwelling, coming directly toward where we lay.
It was not so rare to see girls or women about a plantation as to have
excited any comment from us, but there was that in her bearing which
spoke of something important. Without being able to explain why, every
lad of our company believed she was seeking the Minute Boys.
Nor in this were we mistaken, for, advancing swiftly until standing
within a few paces of our leader, she asked:
“Is there one among you lads by the name of Gabriel Marion?”
“Ay, and that is me,” Gabriel replied, taking off his hat with a bow
such as the gouty king could not have equalled.
[Illustration: “‘ARE YOU MASTER DAVIS’S DAUGHTER?’”]
“Then I am to say that if you would lay hands upon the lad who escaped
you at Black Mingo Swamp you shall go this night, as soon as may be,
four miles up the road, where is the dwelling and forge of Reuben Rowe.”
“How know you all that?” Gabriel asked, and now he spoke sharply,
forgetting his courtly flourishes.
“Word was brought by one of Master Rowe’s negroes to my mother, and she
sent me here with the message.”
“Are you Master Davis’s daughter?” Gabriel asked, still speaking
severely, and then, remembering that he was talking to a girl, added in
a tone of apology as she replied in the affirmative:
“You must remember that it is a strange message you bring, and at such
times as these one in the Carolinas fears lest a trap may be set for
him.”
“Surely you cannot believe that my mother or I would set a trap for
lads who, so it is said, have fought as well as men this day,” the girl
said, and like the silly that I was, I flushed with pleasure because of
her praise.
“Not so, nor would I mistrust any of Master Davis’s family, but it
seems strange, without questioning the part you or your mother are
playing, that word should be sent us regarding a traitor, when, with
no more labor, if peradventure Seth Hastings is prisoner, he might be
brought here to the plantation.”
“To that I can make no answer,” she replied with a smile. “The negro
returned at once, having delivered the message to my mother.”
Gabriel was silent for a moment, and then he asked, with less of
severity in his tone:
“Tell me who is this Master Rowe?”
“The smith who lives four miles up the road, as I have said.”
“But I mean, how is he disposed toward us who oppose the king?”
“I have heard it said that he declares this fight is none of his
making. He is ready to work at his forge for one side or the other,
having no concern in what he calls ‘the quarrel.’ My father neither
trusts nor mistrusts him, and more than that I cannot tell you.”
Then Gabriel thanked her for having brought the message, and she, after
making one courtesy which seemed to include all us lads, went back to
the house as rapidly as she had come.
It can readily be imagined that our tongues were unloosened immediately
she was gone, for verily it was an odd message that had been brought.
We argued the matter over and over without arriving at any conclusion,
but keeping all the while before us certain questions which we would
have answered before setting out on what might be a most disastrous
journey.
Who had sent the messenger? Was it the smith? If so, how did he
reconcile the assertion that he had no concern with one side or the
other? Then again, if his leaning was toward us who were fighting
against the king, how did he come to know that Seth Hastings was a
traitor, or that we Minute Boys were most eager to lay hands upon him?
With all our tongue-wagging we could find no answer to these questions,
and we sat there perplexed, feeling that perhaps we might get our hands
upon the young scoundrel if we obeyed the summons, and yet halting lest
we prove ourselves simples by falling into what looked to be a trap.
I question if we could have settled the matter ourselves even though
discussing it four and twenty hours, but when we were most sorely
perplexed, wavering as to whether we should go or stay, a happy thought
came to Gabriel, and he gave it words by saying:
“I am not of the mind to believe, without better proof, that any one
in this Tory-ridden section of the Carolinas would try to do us such
a favor, even though he knew Seth Hastings and what he had done. Now,
because by remaining here idle we may lose an opportunity so greatly
desired, or by going fall into a trap, I propose that we lay the matter
before Master Paul Sawyer, who should be a good judge, and follow his
decision.”
To this we were already agreed without argument, not only because we
had faith in Master Sawyer, but in order that one of our elders might
settle the question, thereby taking from us some of the blame in case
we ventured into a hole from which we could not retreat.
To the end that no talk might be made which was not heard by all
the company, Gabriel proposed that Jared Green should go in search
of Master Sawyer, asking him to join us for a moment, and without
explaining the reason.
This was done. In less than five minutes the gentleman stood before us,
still wearing the same quizzical expression as when he railed at us for
being like mutes at a funeral.
Without using more words than was necessary, Gabriel explained what we
would have him judge upon, simply saying that Master Davis’s daughter
had brought us the message, and repeating what she had told concerning
this smith near whose forge we were to find, perhaps, the lad we sought.
Master Sawyer turned it over and over in his mind until I began to
think he would never make reply, so impatient was I lest we should, by
remaining idle many moments longer, lose the chance of paying off that
score to which Seth Hastings was adding every hour.
“It is an odd business, lads, look at it as you may,” Master Sawyer
said finally, and much to my relief. “It has in it the look of a trap,
and at the same time there are chances that some one well disposed
toward the Cause, knowing how much mischief that young viper would have
wrought, may be trying to do a good turn.”
“But I question if there be any hereabout who know what Seth has done.”
“And well you may, but at the same time is it impossible?” Master
Sawyer asked thoughtfully. “Whether it be a trap or fair dealing, there
is chance in it for adventure such as one would grieve to miss. You
Minute Boys are seventeen strong, if I have heard aright--seventeen
who have proven yourselves men--and with a smaller squad than that I
dare venture to say Francis Marion would set himself against two score
redcoats. Now, as the matter appears to me, there is no chance that
number of Britishers can be in the vicinity, therefore whence comes the
danger of answering the summons, if so be you keep your eyes opened and
your wits sharpened?”
“Meaning that you would advise us to go, sir?” Gabriel said, and the
old man replied, his eyes twinkling as if in anticipation of a brush
with the enemy:
“If so be you are minded to hold your own against twice the number of
your force, then go, and I beg of you take one recruit who asks for
nothing better than an opportunity to learn who we have hereabouts that
would do us such a favor--for a favor to you lads is one to all this
company.”
“And you would go with us?” Archie cried incredulously.
“Ay, lad, and thank you for the privilege, obeying all the commands of
your leader even as you should obey them.”
“There is nothing more, then, to be said,” and Gabriel sprang toward
where the horses were tethered as if he would make ready for the
journey at once, but Master Sawyer stopped him by saying gravely:
“Do not forget, lad, that you have first to gain permission. He who is
a soldier must not adventure on his own business at will.”
“I will speak with the general at once,” Gabriel said as he ran swiftly
away, and Jared Green asked anxiously of Master Sawyer:
“Think you there will be any question as to our going, sir?”
“Not if I know Francis Marion as well as I have believed. He will
consent readily, and at the same time grieve that, because of his
position, he may not form one of the party.”
That Master Sawyer was not mistaken in at least a portion of his
statement, we understood when Gabriel returned in all haste as if eager
to set off, and while he was saddling his horse I asked:
“What did the general say?”
“That we had his consent since Master Sawyer was so kind as to go with
us. He wanted it understood that he did not question our ability to
take care of ourselves, but was doubtful as to our judgment if we found
ourselves in close quarters. At first he would have it that we take a
squad of troopers, but I insisted this was the business of none save
the Minute Boys, and we would be ashamed to have it said in camp that
we dare not go out in search of one who had done us wrong, save with an
escort.”
“Well spoken, lad,” Master Sawyer cried. “Now while your command is
making ready I will look after my horse, and we will meet in front of
the house yonder that all may know our purpose. If so be there is a
traitor on this plantation, then shall he have good opportunity to
send word ahead to prepare the ambush.”
This was spoken as if in jest, and yet I fancied there was more of
seriousness in the words than he would have us believe, for I was
convinced that such a man as Master Sawyer, who had proven his mettle
time and again, would not be like to set out with a party of lads
unless he believed there might be hot work ahead.
Seeing us saddling, those of the troopers lounging near by asked the
reason, and when we told them, making no concealment of what had been
heard, more than one shook his head sagely, as if to say that it would
be useless to expect other than folly from a party of boys. All showed
by their bearing that they had little faith Seth Hastings was awaiting
us, unless peradventure he might be at the rendezvous with sufficient
of redcoats to prove our undoing.
Now we were committed to the adventure there was no show of fear in our
faces, however timorous we may have been at heart, for it would have
been a hundred times worse to admit that our courage failed at the very
outset, than to fall into the cruellest trap ever laid.
Master Sawyer did not delay us. We found him in the saddle at the door
of the dwelling, and on the veranda sat General Marion and Captain
Horry, the commander saying as we rode up:
“It is no sign of cowardice to reconnoitre well before you go into a
place from which retreat may be impossible. Make certain of the ground
before advancing, even though such precaution causes you to ride
slowly, and remember that there are occasions when one may be brave
and at the same time flee from an overwhelming force. Do not take too
many chances, and if it so be this is a trap set for your harm, punish
severely those who baited it. In case the entire company cannot report
at midnight, send, if possible, a messenger to acquaint me of your
safety, otherwise I shall order a squad out for your relief.”
Then the general saluted, we returned it, and then giving spurs to our
horses, rode swiftly down the lane leading to the road.