A SKIRMISH IN THE DARK
As the full realization of the danger burst upon us, my first thought
was that we should ride at full speed until having gained the highway,
and almost at the same instant I came to understand that in the
darkness, on that narrow trail, we could not hope to make very much
speed save at great risk of coming to grief.
I believe of a verity, had I been in command of the Minute Boys I
should have lost my head entirely, so critical did the situation
appear, and even at this late day I am convinced that the peril was
not overestimated. During a full minute we stood there motionless and
silent, my comrades most like turning over in their minds, as did I,
the folly which had marked our approach. The king’s soldiers themselves
could not have made a poorer feint at the job than had we.
I fancied Gabriel was nearly as disturbed in mind as myself, for he
gave no word of command until Master Sawyer said to him in a low tone:
“By remaining here we are simply offering ourselves as targets to those
who are hidden in the thicket, and if I mistake not--”
He did not finish the sentence, for at that instant the report of a
musket rang out wondrously sharp on the still air, and the whistle of
the missile as it passed above our heads sounded to me almost as loud
as the singing of a bird.
After that first signal that the enemy were not minded to run away,
leaving us in undisputed possession of the field, there was no need for
a command; with one accord we lads spurred our horses forward until
we were partially sheltered by the shack, and even while we were thus
moving to a more favorable position came the report of half a dozen
weapons. One of the bullets thus sent at random struck the flank of my
horse, causing him to plunge and prance until I was like to have spread
disorder throughout the entire line.
It was Master Sawyer who first bethought himself to make reply to this
salute of lead, and when he discharged his musket in the direction from
which we had seen a tiny jet of fire, nearly all our lads followed the
example; thus it became a question of reloading while mounted, which is
no small task, as any one will learn who attempts a similar feat.
It seemed to me as if our fellows had fired at least twenty shots, the
enemy meanwhile replying vigorously, when I heard Gabriel say, as if he
was suddenly awakened to the full sense of the situation:
“This shooting at random in the dark can have no effect, and we are
only wasting our ammunition. What do you say, Master Sawyer, if we ride
up the trail in order to get out of this trap?”
“It is a trap, and no mistake,” the gentleman replied, as if thinking
aloud; “but for my advice you lads would have done the work properly,
and by this time most like be holding all those renegades prisoners!”
“Why do you say that?” Gabriel asked quickly.
“Because I am beginning to understand that I am in my dotage, otherwise
such a proposition as that we advance through the thicket on horseback
never would have been made by me.”
“There is no reason, sir, why you should blame yourself for what was
done with the best intention. We have no time to spend on regrets just
now, as it seems to me,” Gabriel said softly, and Master Sawyer added,
in a tone of contrition:
“Right you are, lad, and I am but giving further proof of my folly,
therefore it is best I hold my peace lest I lead you into yet other
difficulties.”
“But as to whether we shall advance, or make a stand here?” Gabriel
insisted.
“As it looks to me, by riding up the trail when we can proceed no
faster than a walk, we are giving them good opportunity to pick us off
at their leisure, but I would much prefer that you give the command as
your judgment dictates.”
I could well understand that Master Sawyer had no desire to make
suggestions after such a blunder as had been made, and at the same time
I realized that what he had said was true. We had entered the trap with
our eyes open, knowing full well it had been set for us, and now, from
my point of view, we were forced to remain in it during a certain time
at least. Gabriel had the same idea as myself, for on the instant he
said in a low tone, himself setting the example:
“We had best dismount, tie the horses’ heads together so that they may
not be able to stray, and station ourselves between them and the shack
here. It is a case of waiting until daybreak.”
From the alacrity displayed by our lads as they obeyed this command,
I could see that all were in full accord with the decision, and as
soon as might be we were making a stand with the horses as a barricade
against any who might creep around to the left, while the old negro’s
hut afforded a poor shelter between us and those who yet remained on
our right.
“We started out counting to cover ourselves with glory,” Archie Gordon
whispered in my ear, “and have speedily proven ourselves to be fools.
From this time on we Minute Boys had best remain under the command of
the general, not attempting any adventure on our own account.”
I was much of the same opinion, but not inclined at that time to grieve
over the details of our folly, for we were in too great danger to spend
our time talking of what might have been. It was to be a skirmish in
the dark, and while I had little fear that the Tories could work us
much harm, firing at random as would be necessary, yet no fellow can
look cheerful when there is fair prospect of being wiped out by a stray
shot.
Once we had made our stand as has been described, and come to realize
fully that there was no way out of the trap until day should break, we
set about trying to inflict some injury upon those who had thus far
bested us.
Each member of the company took position where he could find shelter,
and with musket at his shoulder watched for the flash of light which
should tell the whereabouts of him who fired the last shot.
In this position we remained for a long, weary time, the silence broken
only by the reports of the muskets now and then, a shot from the
thicket being answered by at least three from us, and when it seemed as
if the night must be nearly at an end we had heard no cry of pain to
tell that our missiles had taken effect, nor had we received harm. It
was a bloodless skirmish in which no advantage could be gained by one
side or the other, save in the way of expending ammunition, although
all the time there was present in our minds the possibility that the
enemy might try to creep up on us from some other direction.
“It is when the day breaks that we must have our wits about us,”
Gabriel whispered in my ear as he changed position so that it might
be possible for us to converse privately. “Then those who are in the
thicket should be able to see their targets while themselves remain
concealed from view.”
“But we are not going to stay here very long after daylight,” I made
reply.
“No more minutes than may be necessary to mount and ride away, but it
is while we are getting ready for the flight--and it is nothing better
than a flight--that we shall be in gravest danger.”
“And it would serve us well right if we carried in our bodies a few
of their bullets,” I replied moodily, for the stupidity which we had
displayed caused me to feel mighty sore. “After this night I reckon we
Minute Boys had best talk less of what it is possible to do, and strive
harder to carry out the plans of our leader.”
“Now are you grown oversensitive, Rufus. We may say without boasting
that not a little has been accomplished by us lads, and one mistake
should not be of overly great weight in the balance.”
“Well, you may figure it out as you please, strive to get all the
comfort possible from the blunder, but as for me, whenever I am tempted
to argue that our company might make a bold stroke, I shall remember
this night’s work and hold my peace.”
Then Gabriel left off talking to me, as if irritated because I could
speak of nothing save that which had just been done by us, and again
the dreary dispiriting work of watching for a random flash, that we
might fire blindly into the thicket, was resumed.
In much this same fashion was the entire night spent. When one or
another would weary of his fruitless efforts to inflict injury, he
strove to enter into conversation with the comrade nearest him, and, so
far as I could learn, all the talk centred about the blunder of which
we had been guilty.
Then came that lightening of the sky in the east which told that the
long vigil was at an end. We no longer had time to discuss our faults,
for it was a question of getting out of that trap alive, and all
realized full well the danger to which we would be exposed at the
moment of mounting and riding up the trail. As a matter of course, the
peril would be past in a few moments, for the horses could be sent
forward at full speed, but it was that short interval, when our backs
must perforce be turned to the foe, which caused even so brave a man as
Master Sawyer no slight uneasiness.
So nervous had I become with thinking of those few seconds when we
would be exposed to the fire of the enemy, that it was as if daylight
came with a single bound after the first gray light of warning, and
then, while I was yet asking myself how we were best to guard against
the danger, Master Sawyer, no longer hesitating because of the blunder
he had made, and without asking permission of Gabriel, took command of
the company by saying:
“Now then, lads, move quickly, and do as I bid you. Each one is to
mount his horse while keeping within the shelter of the shack as nearly
as may be, and when the word is given, ride out along the trail at top
speed.”
Because of the words, I believed we were all to make a dash out of the
trap, at the same time taking the chances of being hit, and striving
only to get beyond range as soon as might be. Therefore I obeyed the
command hurriedly, and once we were mounted Master Sawyer said to
Gabriel:
“It is your duty to lead the company, lad, therefore ride in advance,
and let the pace be a good one.”
There was only one among us all who had an idea that Master Sawyer
intended to do other than ride with us, and that single doubter was
Archie Gordon. When we were mounted and the horses headed up the trail,
I noted that he held back, and said to him sharply:
“It is your station immediately in the rear of me, lad!”
“Ay, but this time I am riding with Master Sawyer.”
“Go on, lad; get into line,” I heard the gentleman say sharply, and
Archie replied with a laugh:
“The other fellows have not suspected what you are about, but I am
going to take my chances with you.”
I saw Master Sawyer lay hold of the bridle of Archie’s steed, and then
there was no opportunity to observe more, for Gabriel gave the word and
off we started like an arrow shot from the bow. The report of half a
dozen muskets rang out at the same time, thus showing that the enemy
were on the alert for our change of position.
I also understood from the answering reports that some of our fellows
were firing, and, looking back, I saw greatly to my surprise that
Master Sawyer and Archie yet remained near the shack, watching with
muskets ready for the first of the Tories who should show himself.
Now it was I understood why Master Sawyer had thus taken command. He
counted on atoning for his blunder by remaining behind until we were
safely off, when he would have taken his own chances alone but for
Archie, who guessed at the plan and was determined to share with the
gentleman some portion of the danger.
I could not have halted even if I would, because of those behind me,
and during two or three minutes we lads rode on at our best speed,
leaving in the rear those two brave hearts who were ready to sell their
lives if needs be so that ours might be preserved.
It was a brave thing for Master Sawyer to have done, and yet braver
for Archie Gordon to bear him company. The man was experienced in such
work, but the lad green to the business; the one had a well-earned
reputation to sustain, the other was making his--had made it that
morning so far as we Minute Boys of South Carolina were concerned.
When our company had ridden so far that it seemed certain we were
beyond musket-shot distance from the shack, Gabriel shouted for us to
halt, and when we pulled up our steeds every fellow’s face was turned
to the rear, while I dare say all hearts were beating as was mine when
we watched for the coming of those comrades whom there was every reason
to believe we might never see again.
And yet they came through the danger safely. Within sixty seconds
after we halted there sounded from the rear a shout of triumph, and
immediately afterward we saw the two riding toward us at full speed,
Archie yelling like a red Indian with the joy of having sat side by
side with such a man as Master Sawyer at a time when death lurked near
at hand.
Gabriel gave the word for us to ride on, when the two appeared in
sight, and as we spurred the horses forward every fellow cheered for
Archie, forgetting, in the pride which was felt because of a comrade’s
heroism, that Master Sawyer had also voluntarily staked his life for
ours.
Ten minutes later we were halted in front of the forge, but the place
was abandoned, and Master Sawyer said, after he had dismounted and
ascertained beyond a question that the smith was not in sight:
“When the opportunity affords it is our business, lads, to overhaul
this Master Reuben Rowe, and if he still be of the mind to take neither
one side nor the other, then will we give him a taste of what colorless
people in such times as these deserve.”
Again we rode on, heading directly for the Davis plantation, our
faces lengthening as we drew nearer to it, for the time was rapidly
approaching when we must confess to such as General Marion and Captain
Horry that we had proven ourselves simples of the most simple type, and
such prospect was not pleasing.
“There is but one way out of it,” Gabriel said to me when he had
slackened pace that we might ride side by side, and he spoke as if it
had been the continuation of a previous conversation. “That is to own
up at once, before there is opportunity for much question, that we have
been fools.”
“There is little need for many words in order to prove that,” I replied
with a mirthless laugh. “We have spent the night in showing your
brother that the Minute Boys are not to be trusted out of his sight,
and from this on we had best content ourselves with doing sentinel
duty around the encampment.”
“No, no, lad, it is not so bad as you would paint it,” Master Sawyer
cried as, hearing my words, he spurred his horse alongside us two.
“The fault lies with me, and it is I who will tell the story of this
night’s blunder. You have done as well, under all the circumstances, as
could the best troopers the general has in his command; that I maintain
stoutly. I question if any man lives who would not be forced to confess
to a mistake now and then, and yet you are not required to do even
that, since it was I who urged you to what I dare venture to say was
against your better judgment. The whole amount of this night’s work is
that you failed to capture those who set a trap for you, and verily in
that there can be no great crime.”
Master Sawyer said very much more in the same strain, so bent was he
on taking all the blame, and trying to convince us that after skulking
the whole night under the guns of such Tories as Seth Hastings had been
able to gather from out the mass of fugitives, we had done gallant work.
We knew the facts only too well, however, and when we rode up the lane
to where we had encamped the afternoon previous, the dullest person
on the plantation could have told by the expression on our faces that
matters had gone awry.
Our words were pledged, however, to Master Sawyer, that he be allowed
to make the report, and once in camp we set about feeding and grooming
our horses, that we might be ready for whatsoever change of base the
commander counted on making.
We were soon to learn, however, that General Marion considered himself
in a fairly secure position here on the Davis plantation, for before we
had good opportunity of speaking with him concerning the misadventure
of the night, it was whispered around among our men that word had been
brought in regarding one of Colonel Wemyss’s officers who was encamped
near Lynch’s Creek, having proceeded there with a considerable body of
Tories under orders to force our people to a battle at all hazards.
Those who brought such word also gave the welcome news that several
squads of patriots were on their way to join us. By remaining where we
were it would be possible, not only to yet further recruit our force,
but make such preparations as might enable us to meet with a reasonable
hope of success those renegades who believed they could whip us in a
fair fight.
Therefore it was that we settled ourselves down to the hospitality
which Master Davis so freely bestowed, for he was one of those patriots
who stood ready to give up all he possessed with the hope of aiding the
Cause, and had it been necessary I dare venture to say he would have
been the first to apply the torch to his own property.
Before another night came we had an interview with General Marion, but
there is no need I should say very much concerning it. Master Sawyer
had given him all the details of the night’s work, blaming himself, as
we expected, more than was really deserved, and the general said to
us laughingly that he understood we were plunged into the depths of
despondency because of failing to accomplish our purpose, when as a
matter of fact there was no reason for us to grieve.
“Do not think that any one of this company will question your courage,
lads, for you have already shown us what it is possible for you to do,
and will give yet further proof when the occasion presents itself,” he
said laughingly, as he turned away to receive the report of some of the
scouts who had just come in.
And now concerning the next four days there is no reason why I should
set down anything, save to say that we remained quietly on the Davis
plantation, hearing from those who were friendly to the Cause and
living near at hand much concerning the movements of the enemy.
Then on the morning of the fifth day it was announced by those troopers
who claimed to know full well all the plans our commander might make,
that within another four and twenty hours we were to set off for the
purpose of giving Captain Harrison the opportunity he professed to be
aching for. There was never one among us who did not believe we could
stand against twice our number of renegades, and whip them out of their
boots.
So confident were these newsmongers that we began to make such few
preparations as were possible for the coming march, but before the day
was at an end we learned that which turned our attention for the time
being elsewhere.
It was about three o’clock in the afternoon when friends of the Cause
rode in with the information that the Tories were gathered in large
force at Salem, near the fork of the Black River. Here, so it was
reported, Colonel Tyne of the British service had appeared, summoning
the people as subjects of his Majesty to take the field against their
countrymen, and what served more than anything else to set us aflame
was the report that he had brought with him ample supplies of war
materials, provisions, and even of luxuries such as our people had not
seen for many a month.
Eager though we were to measure strength with Harrison’s Tories, the
idea of new muskets with bayonets, broadswords and pistols, saddles and
bridles, and powder and ball, which the Britisher had brought with him,
caused our mouths to water.
Had General Marion declined to take advantage of such opportunity to
give his force a new equipment as seemed suddenly to have presented
itself, I believe the men under him, obedient and faithful as they had
been, would have indulged in much murmuring, for they were sadly in
need of many things which it was said lay near at hand for the taking.
An hour later came very definite information, and those who brought it
were eager in their demands that our troop take possession of these
stores, which were guarded only by a single company of redcoats. It
was reported that Colonel Tyne had moved from Salem to Tarcote, on the
fork of the Black River, and there had seemingly gone into regular
camp, being apparently so secure in mind regarding the safety of his
position, that such watchfulness as common prudence would have dictated
was neglected.
To sweep down and possess ourselves of these goods which were intended
for the benefit of our enemies, was exactly the kind of work for which
we were best adapted, and every man was in a fever to be at the task
which was at one and the same time for the benefit of the Cause and the
equipment of ourselves.
While the officers deliberated, the rank and file announced what
articles they most needed, as if it were only necessary to make the
statement in order to have their desires fulfilled. In fact, there
was not one among us but that believed we could have for the choosing
anything among Colonel Tyne’s stores.
Perhaps we, as well as the Britishers, were becoming overconfident as
to our strength. We knew beyond a peradventure that Tarleton with his
legion would soon be at our heels after the last blow we delivered;
that Harrison and his Tories were ahead of us, and this Colonel Tyne at
our left, the three forces probably being so near each other that it
would be possible for them to unite against us in a comparatively short
time. Yet we gave little heed to any possibility save that we were to
capture new equipments and stores.
A single company of redcoats seemed to us a force so small as to demand
no very serious thought. Even us lads of the Minute Boys were inclined
to look upon the capture of Colonel Tyne’s camp as nothing more than an
incident in this odd warfare which we were carrying on, and because it
proved really to be no more than we expected, I must not allow myself
to give overly many words to the matter.
I believe it was in General Marion’s mind to show that he had quite
as much confidence in the Minute Boys as before we made the blunder,
for on that very afternoon were we summoned to the dwelling, where we
found our commander, Captain Horry, and a score or more of people of
importance living near about.
Then it was that General Marion told us what we already knew concerning
this Colonel Tyne, and asked that we select three of our company to
reconnoitre the camp. Tarcote was only a trifle more than ten miles
away, and we were to leave the Davis plantation two hours in advance
of the troop, which would give us, if anything occurred to prevent our
gaining the information desired, ample opportunity to double back on
our trail and meet the “ragged regiment” at where they would be halted
awaiting our return.
Gabriel made no reply on receiving this command, but, saluting,
wheeled about and led the way toward where our horses were stabled, we
following his example as a matter of course. Then, instead of going
through the form of drawing lots, the leader simply announced to the
company that he, Archie Gordon, and Rufus Randolph would act as the
scouts, and the remainder of the company were to fall in line with
General Marion’s command when they set off.
It can well be fancied how determined we were to do our work faithfully
on this night in order to atone for what we yet insisted was a grievous
blunder, and off we rode as quickly as might be, exchanging no words
until well away from the plantation. Then, instead of talking about
what we were to do, we spoke of the past, and of how thoroughly we
would whip Harrison’s Tories; but keeping silent upon the purpose of
our ride, not because we feared to lose courage, but that each fellow
seemed to have it in mind to act and speak as if this work was so
easily performed as to not need discussion or comment.
And in fact so did it prove. When we were come near to Tarcote the
horses were left in a convenient thicket, and we crept cautiously
forward to reconnoitre. But, bless you, we might almost have walked
boldly through the camp, so carelessly was it guarded. As a matter
of fact we approached within earshot at a dozen points, and failed,
strange as it may seem, to find a single sentinel on guard.
These redcoats were living on the fat of the land, and with all the
luxuries at their command. They had an ample supply of new canvas
tents, and in these were men playing at cards or sleeping, while around
the camp-fires lounged squads drinking and smoking as if they were
simply out on a picnic. In a dwelling near by the officers were having
a feast, carousing as if their one purpose was to so befuddle their
senses that the Swamp Fox and his followers might work their will
without danger and at ease.
The reconnoissance was attended with as little peril as if we three had
gone out sightseeing with our friends, and although I am not counting
myself as being a particularly courageous lad, yet I was utterly
ashamed of having accomplished the task so readily.
When we stole away, not overly careful as to making a noise, and were
mounting our horses, Gabriel said with a laugh, as if he had forgotten
that we allowed Seth Hastings to make fools of us:
“If all the Minute Boys had been with us, I dare venture to say we
alone could have captured the camp, providing we waited until those
sots were a little deeper in their cups. As it is, we have only to
report to the general that the goods which Colonel Tyne brought for the
Tories are at his disposal whenever he chooses to take them.”