THE TOWN OF YORK
I had not counted that it would be possible for us to indulge in slumber
after Uncle 'Rasmus had carried off the blankets; but yet before he was
well on his way toward the village both of us were wrapped in sleep as
profound as even when our bed was softer.
Neither the thought of poor Silver Heels in the hands of a brutal
British officer, nor the possibility that we might come to grief when,
on the morrow, we ventured into the town of York, prevented me from
gaining all the rest a lad needs, as may be judged by the fact that not
until the sun was an hour high in the heavens, and Saul was shaking me
into consciousness, did I have knowledge of my surroundings.
Then it was, with a feeling of shame, that I started to my feet, none
the worse for having been stretched out so long on the bare ground; but
deep down in my heart was a painful sense of having shown myself a
child, by thus indulging in repose when others stood ready to aid in the
task which should have been all my own.
"Have you lads given over going into the village this morning, that you
sleep so late and so soundly?" Saul asked with a note of scorn in his
tones, and I replied quickly, as if making apology for having been such
a laggard:
"Even though we had risen as early as did you, it would not have been
wise for us to go forward, yet I am free to admit that it might have
been more seemly had we opened our eyes before sunrise."
"It is to my mind that we were wise to get all the sleep possible,"
little Frenchie said with a shrug of the shoulders. "A good soldier
should be able to sleep anywhere and at any time, and it is his duty to
take advantage of every opportunity to rest, in order that he may be the
better able to undergo fatigue when it becomes necessary."
"But you are not a soldier," Saul said sharply, as if offended by the
words; but Pierre, nothing daunted, replied cheerily:
"Yet am I in a fair way to be one, having enrolled myself as a Minute
Boy. I am much the same as an apprentice, according to my way of
thinking, and, being so, should copy after my elders--"
"Meaning that you ought to sleep like a laggard until the sun is high in
the heavens?" Saul cried and I, growing irritated because he persisted
in harping upon our indolence, said, speaking quite as sharply as had
he:
"We have done no harm by being laggards. I would like for you to explain
how we might have been advantaged by awakening at daybreak and sitting
here waiting for you to come? It seems to me just as well that we should
sleep, as sit around twiddling our thumbs."
"I was astir a full hour before daybreak, attending to the work set me,
else I would not be here thus early, ready to make the venture as agreed
upon."
One might have fancied Saul was eager to be praised for his early
rising, and I might have said something calculated to irritate him, but
that Pierre cried with a laugh:
"So you were, my brave Minute Boy; but remember that most like you
crawled into bed a good two hours before Fitz and I did, and it is also
reasonable to suppose you were not awakened at midnight to give up your
blankets."
This remark seemed to anger Saul instead of soothing him, and, fearing
we might have then and there a wordy battle between the excitable little
French boy and my quick tempered cousin, I broke in by saying:
"Look you here, lads, there is no reason why you should squabble as to
who turned out of bed first this morning. That is over and done with,
and it strikes me we had best look forward rather than backward. Did you
speak with my mother, Saul?"
"Ay, that I did."
"And was she opposed to our going into York?"
"I would not be willing to say quite as much as that; but certain it is
her heart was troubled sorely when I told her what we counted on doing.
I believe of a verity if Uncle 'Rasmus had not already left the
plantation, she would have set her face against it. As it is, knowing
that now most like the old negro is housed up in the cabin, unless the
Britishers, suspecting intended mischief, have given the poor fellow
lodgings in a guard-house, she realizes that we can do no less than
continue as we have begun, although her command is that we do not run
our heads into danger unnecessarily. She says it is foolish for us to
venture our liberty, and perhaps our lives, in the effort to reclaim two
horses, when it is possible to buy others that would serve us equally
well."
"We could never find a colt that would be as dear to me as is Silver
Heels," I interrupted hotly, all the grief which had come upon me the
evening previous returning to my heart, and setting my pulse beating so
loudly that it seemed as if the lads might hear the blood leaping
through my veins.
"What did you bring in the way of provisions?" Frenchie asked, and his
question reminded me that we had gone supperless to bed.
"Enough to keep us all from hunger a full week, I believe," Saul replied
with an air of pride, as if he alone should have the credit, not only
for bringing, but for providing, the supplies.
Then it was he opened the sack he carried, and displayed an ample store
of cold boiled ham, corn-bread, fried hominy and fried ham, saying as he
did so:
"If so be we are allowed to remain with Uncle 'Rasmus, some of us should
be able to catch fish enough to add to this store until it will serve as
a week's rations."
Pierre and I at once set about making a hearty meal, giving no heed to
the possibility that we might come to short rations later, and even
sulky Saul was not averse to joining us.
Before we had satisfied our hunger my cousin was in a more pleasant
frame of mind and condescended to explain to us all that had been said
and done on the plantation after we left. As nearly as I could make out
it seemed that my mother was willing we should go our own pace, although
as a matter of course she, like any other woman, was frightened at the
idea of our venturing among enemies, for surely with my father in the
so-called rebel army, we could count that these red-coated gentry would
be anything but friendly to those who came from the Hamilton plantation.
It heartened me wonderfully, if indeed I had needed heartening after
remembering that poor little Silver Heels was awaiting my coming, to
know that mother had not really set her face against what we would do,
and I contented myself so far as was possible, by saying that we would
let nothing stand in the way of carrying out the scheme that was afoot
unless having become convinced that we were venturing on too dangerous
ground.
When breakfast had been eaten and we had divided Saul's burden into two
parcels for the more convenient carrying, came the question as to when
we should make the attempt to gain speech with Uncle 'Rasmus in the old
cabin.
Saul was for setting off at once, although the sun was no more than two
hours' high, while Frenchie argued strongly that we should wait until
the forenoon was half spent, when there would likely be many visitors in
the village, and we would attract less attention than if we were the
first comers.
This last seemed to me the wisest course, and despite Saul's grumbling,
for he claimed that we were wilfully wasting time, even going so far as
to hint that we were afraid to really make the trial, we remained within
shelter of the foliage near by the dead cottonwood until, I should say
ten o'clock in the forenoon.
"Are you ready now?" Saul cried impatiently, after having tried half a
dozen times in vain to force us forward. "Will you make the venture now,
or shall we turn back to the plantation, and say that our hearts failed
us at the last moment?"
I looked at Pierre, who rose to his feet as if in answer to the question
he saw in my eyes, and straightway we set off toward the town of York,
little Frenchie insisting that we walk leisurely, as if having nothing
of moment on our minds, and arguing that if we pressed forward at a
rapid pace we might come upon those who would suspect we had some other
aim than that of feeding an old slave.
I am free to confess that my heart beat much more rapidly than it should
have done when we approached the guard stationed here and there at
intervals along the entire line of entrenchments on which soldiers were
working with pick and shovel.
Until that moment I had not questioned whether we might be allowed to
enter the town; but now it seemed certain that whoever accosted us could
read our purpose on our faces and mentally nerved myself either for
disappointment or for disaster.
"Who shall do the talking?" Saul asked when we were come near to a
battery in which the guns were already mounted although the
entrenchments on either side were far from being completed, and I
fancied the lad was eager to act as spokesman; but I dared not trust him
because of his quick temper. Therefore it was I said, firmly believing I
spoke the truth:
"Pierre is the one of us three who can best perform the part. If his
tongue fails us, then can we make certain, Saul, that either you or I
would have brought disaster. The lad has a quicker wit, knows far more
about military encampments, although he boasts not, and can hold his
temper in check."
I have an idea that my cousin was not well pleased at being thus put
under the command, as you might say, of little Frenchie; but there was
no time for him to have made protest even though he was so disposed,
because we were come so near the outposts that all our conversation
might have been heard by the red-coated soldier who paced to and fro
with a bayonet on his musket, looking as if ready to spit or strike any
of us rebels who dared approach him.
I believe none of us, except little Frenchie, could have worked the
trick. He advanced within four or five paces of the sentinel, touched
his hat in regular military salute, and asked if it might be possible
for him to speak with the officer of the day.
This puzzled me not a little, for I had no idea whatsoever who the
"officer of the day" might be, or what his duties; but it appeared that
Pierre knew what he was about, for straightway the sentinel, seeming to
understand that this little lad was familiar with military usages,
called up the officer of the guard, and, without waiting to be
questioned, Pierre addressed him, stating courteously but without too
many words, that there was an old slave in the town whom we feared stood
in need of food and care, therefore had we come to hunt him up.
When the officer asked where we counted on finding this slave, I had wit
enough to step forward quickly and make reply, for Pierre, who had but
little knowledge of the town of York, and none whatsoever as to the
location of old Mary's cabin, could not have given answer.
[Illustration: "HE ... TOUCHED HIS HAT IN REGULAR MILITARY SALUTE."]
The whole matter was far more simple than I had hoped for. Pierre's
story was so straight, he was so exceeding courteous, and apparently so
ready to tell everything about himself and us, that even the most
suspicious person would have been disarmed, and within five minutes
after requesting permission, we were allowed to pass the sentinel, with
no limit set as to the time we might remain in the lines.
Saul, who I verily believed was disgruntled because little Frenchie had
been allowed to act the part of leader, now took upon himself the
command of our company by marching in advance, for he knew as well as
did I where old Mary's cabin was located.
You may be certain we kept our ears and eyes wide open as we walked
through the village toward the Pigeon Quarter, and I was greatly
disappointed because our way did not lead us past where the horses of
Simcoe's Rangers were stabled, although certain it is, it would have
given me greatest pain to have seen Silver Heels roughly used.
There were many visitors in York on this forenoon; people from
roundabout who had Tory inclinations, or who were ready to sell to the
enemies of their country such of vegetables or farm produce as might
bring them in a few shillings. A number from Gloucester who had been
allowed to come across the river, and I even saw two lads whom I knew
lived on Mobjack bay, roaming around with mouths wide open in
astonishment at this vast encampment wherein, to their uneducated eyes,
were soldiers enough to over-run all our colonies.
Squads of Britishers were marching here and there; officers lounged
through the narrow streets, most like making their way to the
entrenchments. From every direction could be heard sounds telling of
pick and shovel, the shouts of teamsters as they hauled heavy guns into
position, the beating of drums, the shrill cry of fifes, and, in fact,
all that bustle, noise and confusion which I have since learned attends
a military encampment.
As a matter of course we did not dare linger here or there, although
very much was going on which it would have pleased me to observe; but we
took good care to continue without hesitation toward the Pigeon Quarter,
contenting ourselves with seeing what we might as we walked at a
reasonably rapid pace.
Strange as it may seem, I had given no thought as to whether Uncle
'Rasmus had succeeded in entering the village during the night; but took
it for granted that he must have done so, until we were come within a
stone's throw of old Mary's cabin, and then it was as if my heart stood
still, for there were many chances that the old negro might have been
arrested while trying to pass the guard and we would find in the hovel a
squad of red-coats waiting to make prisoners of those who presented
themselves there.
I had so worked up my fears as to feel certain the moment had arrived
when we were come to grief, that it was with difficulty I could check a
cry of mingled relief and triumph on seeing Uncle 'Rasmus's black face
at the window.
I had never thought there was anything of beauty in the old negro's
features, and, as a matter of fact, wrinkled and black as it was, one
might truly have said that at times it was almost repulsive, yet as I
saw him then it was as if I had never looked upon anything more
beautiful.
I ran hurriedly, excitedly, into the cabin, throwing myself into the old
fellow's arms much as though welcoming him from the grave.
"Fo' de Lawd's sake, honey, wha's gettin' on to you so pow'ful bad?" the
old man cried in surprise, for probably this was the first time in all
my life when I had shown real affection for him. "Hab de Britishers bin
cuttin' up 'roun' de plantation since I done lef'?"
"No; everything was quiet there when Saul set out this morning; but, oh,
Uncle 'Rasmus! I had come to fancy you might have been taken prisoner,
and that we were all in danger of being arrested for conspiring against
the king."
"Ho, ho!" the old negro laughed. "Why, honey, you don' 'spects Uncle
'Rasmus is gwine ter git his brack head inter trubble arter all dese
yere years, does yer?"
"But we knew you were counting on slipping through the lines, and if
you'd been caught in anything of the kind--"
"Did you eber try fo' to ketch a 'possum, honey, when he kind'er had a
inklin' you was arter him? I 'lows Uncle 'Rasmus is gettin' mighty ole;
but he ain' so feeble yet but he kin hol' his own agin dese yere
red-coated sogers. Why bress yer soul, honey, I des walked right in like
I was comin' home, an' don' 'low one o' 'em knowed dat a wuffless ole
nigger was anywhar nigh him."
Little Frenchie had taken the precaution to close the door immediately
after our entrance, and while Uncle 'Rasmus and I were talking with no
little show of excitement, the lad moved here and there, pulling a
ragged curtain in front of one window, or closing the shutter of
another, so that we might not attract attention from any passers-by,
although this cabin of old Mary's was in what might well be called the
outskirts of the village, where was little danger many people would come
our way.
"Tell us how you got in here, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I asked, for after seeing
the long line of sentinels which guarded the half-formed entrenchments,
it seemed to me little less than marvelous that one could have made his
way through without being challenged.
"I des walked right trou, honey. Course I wasn' no ways tryin' to 'tract
'tention; but kind'er waited for a chance when dere wasn' too man sogers
'round. It was easy, chillun, an' I'd bin out ob dis yere house long ago
huntin' for Silber Heels, ef it hadn' been dat I was tryin' to wait till
you done come."
Then Uncle 'Rasmus insisted on knowing how my mother had received the
news that we were bent on making a visit to York Town.
When Saul had told him all that had been said and done on the plantation
after his departure, the old negro suggested that we lounge around the
village, following the example of the curious visitors, lest some one
note the fact that we were apparently taking council together, and it
would not seem reasonable we would willingly remain with an old negro
shut up in such a wretched cabin, when there was so much to be seen on
the outside.
In view of all that occurred before this day was come to a close, it may
be well that I describe the hovel which we called old Mary's cabin, even
though there was nothing in or around it worthy of particular notice
under ordinary circumstances. The fact that later it served us much as a
citadel in the midst of our enemies, who were in turn surrounded by
their foes, renders it necessary I go into detail concerning it for the
better understanding of what happened later.
An ordinary hut built of logs, perhaps twenty feet square, with a door
made of puncheon planks, by which I mean planks that have been hewn out
of the log with an axe rather than cut by a saw, and two windows, in one
of which four panes of glass were broken, but both protected by shutters
which swung from the outside. The building consisted of one room on the
floor where the occupants were supposed to eat, sleep and live, while
above was a loft formed by the roof, and approached through a scuttle
situated directly opposite the door, at the rear of the hovel.
To gain access to this scuttle one was forced to climb a sort of ladder
which had been formed by nailing strips of wood against the logs, and,
as I learned before we were come to an end of using this cabin as a
place of refuge, it was by no means a simple task to ascend, even for
lads who were accustomed to swarming up trees, or shinning the slender
masts of our river craft.
The loft was, as I have said, formed by the roof, and its floor, like
the one below, was made of puncheon planks, yet not so closely laid
together but that there were crevices through which one's foot might
slip if he walked carelessly. At either end small holes had been cut
between the logs, perhaps four or five inches square, which served as
windows, although there was nothing to prevent the wind or the rain from
entering.
I judged that when old Mary lived in the place these apertures were
closed, most like with boards, or perhaps with cloth, but now they stood
naked, and the wind, coming in across the river, found direct vent
through the attic, thus insuring good ventilation if not comfort.
On the outside, and at the rear, was a chimney built of sticks and clay,
with a hole cut through the logs near the floor of the lower room, where
was a fireplace of stones laid up with mortar, and the inside of this
rude chimney was plentifully bedaubed with mud to the depth of two or
three inches, as a safeguard against fire.
Just outside the front door, not more than ten feet away, was a small
well, which had once been stoned up properly, but was now fallen into
such a state of decay that I questioned whether the water in it could be
wholesome. At the time this seemed of but little moment, for it would
not be a great task to bring from the river all the water one would need
to drink, and I failed to give heed to the fact that if we were ever to
use this cabin as a place of refuge the hour might come when we would
suffer from thirst.
After Uncle 'Rasmus had taken care of the provisions we brought, by
stowing them in a poor apology for a cupboard near the side of the
fireplace, he insisted that we lads go out and look about the town,
claiming that the time might come when it would be much to our advantage
to know where this regiment or that legion was quartered, and insisting
also that we must show ourselves as curious, rather than hugging the
hovel so closely.
I was eager to make my way toward that part of the village where the
horses of Simcoe's Rangers were stabled, hoping I might get a glimpse of
poor little Silver Heels, and, therefore, not averse to following the
old negro's advice.
Uncle 'Rasmus announced that it was his intention to remain close
within the building, as if it was not possible for him to move around,
and this was necessary if we lads counted on making his helplessness an
excuse for coming frequently to the town of York.
It was as if Saul had determined on this day to be as disagreeable as
possible. As I have already set down, he reproached us with indolence
when he first came up in the early morning, and grumbled as we came
toward the village because little Frenchie insisted on walking
leisurely, lest suspicion might be aroused. While we remained in old
Mary's cabin with Uncle 'Rasmus, he cried out loudly at our wasting time
when we might accomplish something, although the lad knew full well that
much time must be spent, and many plans made, before we could hope even
to set about our purpose.
He was the first to leave the cabin when Uncle 'Rasmus insisted that we
play the part of curious ones, and pressed on ahead as if he would go
his own way, leaving us behind, until Pierre said to me in a whisper:
"It is not well that we separate--at least, not until we have made some
agreement as to a rendezvous later."
Then it was that I quickened my pace to overtake Saul, who had just
disappeared around the corner of that shop wherein a man named Bemis,
who had lately come from Baltimore, displayed stuffs for dresses and
gewgaws of all kinds intended to attract the attention of the women and
girls.
I was for going directly to where the Rangers were quartered, and
therefore felt not a bit hurt that my cousin should start off by himself
without giving heed to our wishes, and, finding it was impossible to
overtake him at any ordinary pace, I quickened to a run. In consequence
I turned the corner of the shop rapidly, coming directly upon, and
almost over-running, a lad who had halted Saul, and was engaged with him
in angry altercation.
While one might have counted ten I was too nearly dazed with having come
into violent contact with the fellow, to fully realize the situation,
and then a cry of mingled surprise and dismay burst from my lips, for I
found myself clutching and being clutched by none other than Horry Sims.
Even then no great harm might have been done had it not been for Saul's
ill temper. Little Frenchie, seeing that we had thus inadvertently come
upon the lad whom we knew to be an enemy to us as well as a traitor to
his country, would have treated the matter as a pleasing incident, and
began by saying with a friendly shrug of his shoulders and a wave of the
hands, that he was glad we had found a friend in the town because we
were feeling like cats in a strange garret, when Saul interrupted him as
he cried angrily:
"There is no reason, Pierre Laurens, why you should put on a false face.
You know full well, after all that happened yesterday when this little
villain sent the Britishers to take Fitzroy's horse and mine, that we
are not pleased at seeing him, and that we count on dealing out to him
the punishment he deserves."
I was well nigh paralyzed at thus hearing my cousin make public that
which we had agreed should be held a secret. It alarmed me more than I
can well say, for I had come to believe it was in the highest degree
necessary, if we would succeed in regaining possession of the horses, to
prevent this Tory scoundrel from suspecting we knew of all his
villainy, and I held up my hand warningly, whereat Saul cried hoarsely,
being unable to keep the slightest check over his temper:
"It is not for you, Fitzroy Hamilton, to play a double part! After what
I saw on the road yester morning, we know all this little scoundrel has
done, and have already agreed that he shall pay the penalty for his
treachery."
There was no longer opportunity to check my cousin. The cat was out of
the bag, so to speak. We had, at the very moment when we were counting
on beginning our work, shown Horry Sims that we knew of his treachery,
and thereby made of him an open enemy, one who would do all he might
against us, which promised to be no little, for after having given
information as to where the best horses in the vicinity could be found,
it was reasonable to suppose he stood on friendly terms with the king's
officers.
"Who says I told where the soldiers could find your horses?" Horry asked
with a pretense of ignorance, and Saul cried fiercely:
"No one says so. All three of us lads saw you on the road when you
halted the squad of Rangers, and pointed out the direction of the
Hamilton plantation, after which they rode straight away there and took
possession of the horses, as you know full well."
"If you are so wise as to what happened yesterday, why was it you
treated me in friendly fashion last night?" Horry screamed, growing
angry now that his surprise at being thus accused had passed away in a
measure, and no doubt feeling safe in his position because he was
surrounded by those whom he believed would stand his friends, and who
were all powerful in that town of York.
"It was because we counted on using you to serve our own ends," Saul
replied, seizing Horry Sims by the coat-collar, as if fancying the young
Tory was eager to make his escape. "It was a foolish scheme, hatched by
Fitz and Pierre; but I will have none of it! When a lad proves himself
an enemy to me, as you have since yesterday morning, I count on standing
up manfully, accusing him of his crime instead of crawling around like a
red Indian, hiding my own feelings with the hope of getting the
advantage of him in some way."
"Well, now that you have stood up, as you call it, what do you count on
doing?" Horry asked with a sneer, and Saul, shaking him vigorously,
replied threateningly:
"I count on flogging you until it is a question whether you can leave
this town without assistance."
"It may not be safe to venture anything of the kind," and Horry looked
around in the hope that some of the Britishers might be near at hand.
"Of course when there are three to one, I cannot expect to hold my
ground; but let me warn you of this, Saul Ogden: Whatever you do to me
while the odds are in your favor, shall be paid back an hundred fold
before you are outside these lines! Now I know why that little French
sneak claimed that there was a short cut through the woods from the York
road to the Hamilton plantation. You fellows were hiding somewhere
nearabout, and he counted on joining you without my knowledge."
"Well, is it necessary we shall explain to you what we do, or where we
are going?" Saul shrieked, anger now having so far gotten the better of
him that he was hardly responsible for the words which came from his
mouth.
Pierre and I looked at each other in dismay which amounted almost to
fear. We had but just succeeded in paving a way for ourselves to enter
the town at will, and through Saul's hasty temper all the fat was in the
fire!
I could see no other course than to warn Uncle 'Rasmus as soon as might
be possible. Then take to our heels, trusting to the poor chance that we
might gain the plantation without being laid by the heels, and all
through an unthinking lad who had agreed, equally with us, that we must
not let Horry Sims know we were aware of his treachery.
"It's a case of getting away from here as soon as may be," I whispered
to Pierre, while Saul stood shaking Horry Sims and uttering threats
which might have been heard fifty yards away. "My cousin must pay the
penalty for thus losing his temper and destroying all our chances of
regaining the horses, for in order to save Uncle 'Rasmus, as well as
ourselves, we must leave him here to fight his battles with the Tory."
"I am not so certain that we should leave either of them," little
Frenchie said thoughtfully, and seemingly forgetting to shrug his
shoulders. "It is true the fat is all in the fire so far as our playing
friendly with Horry Sims is concerned; but it seems to me possible that
we can yet prevent that scoundrel from upsetting all our plans, even
though it may be a dangerous venture."
"Of what are you talking?" I cried in amazement. "The mischief has
already been done. It is no longer possible for us to hold the lad in
check, because he will go straight away to such officers as he knows,
giving information that we are here. Once it is learned we claimed that
Uncle 'Rasmus had been held in the cabin through his helplessness, and
we were come to aid him, all our scheming will be made public, and we
called upon to pay the penalty, whatever it may be."
"But Horry Sims has not yet laid information," Pierre whispered
hurriedly. "If it be possible for you to call Saul off and make him
understand now, on the instant, before any come nearer, that he must
hold himself in check, we, meaning you and I, may be able to deal with
the Tory by such methods that he can not do us one whit of harm until we
are ready to give him the opportunity."
I looked at the little French lad in amazement, too much bewildered to
be able to make reply, for it seemed to me he was talking veriest folly,
and yet there was on his face an expression of determination in which I
could see no token of fear, or even uneasiness of mind.