A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE
While we ate with so much of pleasure I could not but let my thoughts go
out to Saul, who was doubtless as hungry as we had been, and gave words
to my regret that we had not first carried the lad some of the food
which we had in such generous abundance; but to my repinings of this
kind little Frenchie put a stop by saying:
"I have no desire that your cousin shall be in distress because of
hunger, and yet it is in my mind that he should have somewhat more of
punishment because of having given way to ill temper and put us in such
a plight, than simply standing guard over Horry Sims. He will be the
more careful in the future, if he suffers considerably because of what
has been done."
I was far from desiring that Saul should be punished. The mischief had
been wrought, and however bitterly he repented it would not right
matters. I believed for the time that Pierre was overly harsh, and would
have insisted on going straight to the lad with food, but that I
realized how dangerous it might be if we visited the shed in the rear of
Master Bemis's shop more often than was absolutely necessary.
Again I consoled myself with the belief that most like Saul had partaken
of a hearty breakfast that morning before leaving the plantation,
whereas we lads had satisfied our hunger with cold food, and thus
arguing with myself desiring to be convinced, I came to the conclusion
that since it was not possible to mend matters save at the expense of
much risk, it was well I should get such enjoyment as was possible out
of the present moment.
Not until we had finished the meal did Uncle 'Rasmus have anything of
importance to say, and then he surprised me beyond the power of
expression, by proving that he was not counting on being a mere
figure-head in this wild plan to regain possession of Saul's mare and
Silver Heels.
"I'se done bin tol', chillun, dat dere's six or seben big French ships
layin' in Lynn Haven bay, whar dey've come to stop de Britishers from
runnin' away 'fore Gin'ral Washington gets a chance to trounce 'em right
smart."
"You've been told that, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried in amazement. "Have you
been toddling around this town after pretending that you were so
crippled with aches and pains that you couldn't move out of your chair?"
"Sure I hasn', honey, sure I hasn'. Yer Uncle 'Rasmus ain' no sich fool
as dat; but de still trout wha' lays under de shadder ob de rock catches
a good many more flies what drif down de stream, dan does de fish what
am leapin' an' plungin' to beat de band. Say, wha' you tink when I done
tole you Gin'ral Lafayette wid all his army is layin' at Williamsburg
des waitin' fo' a chance to jump down on de back ob Gin'ral Cornwallis?"
Pierre and I looked at each other questioningly, as if asking whether
the old negro had suddenly taken leave of his senses, for it seemed
impossible he could have gathered information which was of the greatest
importance to us, while we who had been moving around through the
encampment had failed to hear anything of the kind.
"Have you been dreaming, Uncle 'Rasmus?" little Frenchie asked with a
smile. "Surely you couldn't have picked up all that news while being
denned in here."
"I did fo' a fac', honey, an' s'posen yer Uncle 'Rasmus kin tell you dat
Gin'ral Washington is a hustlin' fo' to get all his sogers down dis yere
way so's to make de Britishers don' gib him de slip? I'se 'lowin',
chillun, dat now's de time when de king's men hab done got dereselves in
a mighty small box."
"If you didn't dream it, how did you come to learn all these things?" I
asked impatiently, and the old negro replied as he pattered to and fro
in front of the fire, adding to the already plentiful supply of
provisions before us:
"Don' you 'member Marse Peyton's ole Joe, honey? Course you do, kase
you've seen him on de plantation more times dan I'se got hairs on dis
yere gray head. Well, ole Joe is right in dis yere town, waddlin' back
an' forth, makin' out as ef he was waitin' on some ob de British
ossifers. Marse Peyton done sent him down here so's he could keep his
ears open, an' he's come dis berry day from Williamsburg, where he
sneaked off so's to tell Gin'ral Lafayette wha' he done foun' out."
Again Pierre and I looked at each other in amazement, and I must also
add with no little of disappointment. We had been flattering ourselves
that it might be possible for us to play the spy upon the Britishers,
and thereby earn much of credit for our small company of Minute Boys,
never for the moment dreaming that there might be others in the village
who were playing the same part; but surely not allowing that an old
negro, a slave, might be employed in the same work.
"It begins to look as if we were not needed very much in this town of
York," Pierre said after a brief time of silence, and I could well
understand by the tone of his voice how disappointed he was because thus
suddenly had we been shown that the American army could well dispense
with our services, since others were engaged in the work we would have
taken up.
"I'm not so certain, Pierre, but that your skill at reading the meaning
of military moments will yet prove of great value," I exclaimed as a
happy thought came into my mind. "It isn't possible old Joe would be
able to tell what the British are doing here, with so much exactness as
you who seem to be familiar with such work. There's no good reason why
we shouldn't continue to pick up all the information possible, and if we
find that we have gained more than has Colonel Peyton's negro, then one
of us shall make his way to Williamsburg, after we have Horry Sims
stowed snugly away in the loft."
It appeared, as we understood from Uncle 'Rasmus's story, when he told
it later, that old Joe had by accident seen him sitting at the cabin
window, and, quite naturally, come in, when explanations followed.
As both Pierre and I came to realize, instead of grieving over the fact
that this slave of Colonel Peyton's was playing the spy in the town of
York, we should have rejoiced, for here was at least one person who
might be able to aid us in a time of extremity.
Surely, situated as we lads then were, with a prisoner on our hands,
even the assistance of an old slave who was free to move about within
the encampment as he pleased, might be of great value.
After we had turned the matter over and over in our minds, discussing
what seemed much like a new phase of the situation, Uncle 'Rasmus
advised that we did not venture out again until the time had come when
we could relieve Saul from his duties as jailor by bringing Horry Sims
to the cabin.
The old negro argued, and with much of wisdom it seemed to me, that
having been through the encampment more than once, seemingly bent on
curiosity, there was no good reason why we should do so again. He
contended that it would not be wise to show ourselves too often during
one day, and urged that we remain concealed until the time arrived when
we were to perform our task of the night.
Following his advice we went into the loft, and, spreading down a
blanket on the puncheon floor, stretched ourselves out on the hard bed
with the hope of gaining sleep. We could have disposed ourselves more
comfortably below; but there was a possibility that some of the
soldiers, curious to know who was dwelling in this ramshackle of a
building, might enter to gratify their curiosity, and it would not be
well if they saw us living there with the old negro; at least, there was
a chance harm might come of it, and we were not inclined to take any
such risk simply in order to enjoy a trifle more of comfort.
Hard though our bed was, both us lads fell asleep shortly after we were
in a position to invite slumber, and, without heed to the many dangers
which surrounded us, slept soundly and peacefully until being awakened
by Uncle 'Rasmus who, unable to ascend by the rude ladder, was calling
us by name softly from below.
It was dark when I opened my eyes, aroused by the old negro's voice, so
dark that I could not even distinguish the outlines of my comrade, and I
understood that now was come the time for the venture of bringing Horry
Sims to the cabin.
Pierre was already making his way toward the scuttle when I had come to
a full realization of the situation, and I followed him as nearly in
silence as was possible, until we had descended to where Uncle 'Rasmus
stood awaiting us at the foot of the rude ladder.
"It's pas' midnight, chillun, an' I'se 'lowin' dat de time hab come for
you to snake dat young Tory up here."
"Is everything quiet, Uncle 'Rasmus?" Pierre asked, and the old negro
replied:
"I ain' heard a soun' dis las' hour, 'cept when dem sogers what am on
guard raise up dere hootin' to let folks know dey're awake. It's dark as
de lan' ob Egypt eber was, an' I'se kind'er reckonin' you kin go down to
Marse Bemis's shop widout makin' trubble for yoursefs. 'Member, chillun,
ef dese yere red-coats do sneak up on yer, an' fin' out what you'se
erbout, take to your laigs. Don' stop to fight, kase it won't be any
use. Des say to yoursefs dat de Hamilton plantation am a heap better
place dan dis yere town ob York, an' you get dere, honey, you get dere!"
"What about yourself, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I asked with deep concern.
"Suppose the Britishers learn of our doings and we run away, you would
be in danger, for surely Horry Sims never'd let the chance slip him to
mix you up in the row."
"Don' you gib any heed to your Uncle 'Rasmus, honey. Ef trubble comes
you des look arter yoursefs, an' leabe de ole nigger to crawl out ob de
hole de bes' way he kin. Don' stop to talk nor to fight, ef de
Britishers pounce on yer; but get back to de plantation. Git dere,
honey, git dere!"
Uncle 'Rasmus's advice, instead of strengthening my courage, was
weakening it. In the darkness, and now when we were about to make this
venture which I knew to be in the highest degree dangerous, I was
growing weak-kneed. The attempt to bring Horry Sims across the entire
length of the village, where were Britishers on every hand, seemed an
entirely different matter from what it had been when the sun was
shining, and, fearing lest I might show the white feather if we stood
there many moments, I went out hurriedly into the night, giving little
heed as to whether Pierre followed until I felt the soft pressure of his
hand upon my arm.
"There is no need of great haste, Fitz," he whispered, and I replied in
a tremulous voice:
"Indeed there is, Pierre, else am I like to grow so cowardly as to turn
tail and make for the Hamilton plantation, regardless of anything save
my own feelings."
"You will never do anything of the kind, Fitzroy Hamilton, and that you
know as well as I," the little lad whispered with emphasis. "I am not
afraid you will turn coward, for it is not cowardly to be afraid when
one makes such a venture as this, providing he keeps his face
resolutely toward the goal."
I might fill up an hundred pages with an account of my fears and
forebodings as Pierre and I went cautiously through the darkness from
old Mary's cabin, to Bemis's shop, and yet not have told anything which
would interest a stranger, therefore it is that I shall content myself
by simply saying that we crossed the village without having been
molested, almost without having heard a sound from the enemy.
As a matter of course it was necessary we pass at this point or that
near by where soldiers were in camp, or on duty; but the darkness was so
intense that by making a slight detour we could avoid being seen, and,
judging from what few noises we heard, the encampment was in a state of
almost complete repose.
Arriving at the shed door we stood motionless and silent while one might
have counted twenty, our ears pricked up to catch the lightest sound
which would tell of the approach of an enemy, after which, hearing
nothing, we set about making our way into the rude building and thence
across the rubbish to where were the two casks which formed Horry Sims's
prison.
This last was anything rather than a simple matter, if we would move
noiselessly, for in the darkness it was impossible to make out what
obstruction lay in our way, and we were forced to pass our hands over
every inch of the rubbish before daring to advance a single pace.
Not until we were come to the opening between the casks was a word
spoken, and then came an exclamation from Saul:
"Thank God you are come! I was beginning to believe you had been made
prisoners, and I would be left to get out of here unaided, which meant
beyond a peradventure that I would speedily find myself in the clutches
of the Britishers."
"Has Horry attempted to raise any row?" I whispered.
"Beyond speaking now and then to make threats as to what will surely
come to us in the future, he has behaved himself," and Saul stood erect,
stretching his limbs to throw off the cramp which had come upon him. "I
have given him to understand thoroughly well how necessary it is we hold
him prisoner, and to what lengths we are ready to go, therefore I
believe he realizes that it would be taking his life in his hands if he
made any attempt at giving us the slip."
Then Saul would have asked concerning what we had been doing during the
day, and how we counted on making our way to the cabin, but I silenced
him, promising that he should hear of all our movements when it should
be possible for us to hold converse without danger of betraying
ourselves.
Once more little Frenchie took upon himself the command of the party by
literally dragging Horry out from the casks, and saying to me when the
lad was on his feet beside us:
"Help me thrust this in his mouth, for it is not safe to take him
through the streets without being gagged."
To my surprise I found that this little French lad had, without
acquainting me with his purpose, made ready for the venture, thus again
proving his right to act as our captain.
He had at some time while in old Mary's cabin made ready a gag of wood
covered with strips torn from a blanket, and this, much against Horry
Sims's will, we thrust into the fellow's mouth, tying it securely; but
promising that if he followed at his best pace and without making an
attempt to get away, he should soon be relieved from what must have been
in the highest degree painful.
Then we began again to make our way over the rubbish, this time with
greater noise than when Pierre and I had entered, because we could not
direct the young Tory's footsteps as cautiously as our own, and more
than once before we had come to the door did we dislodge a bit of timber
or a fragment of wood, causing such a disturbance as must have been
heard by any who might have been within an hundred paces of the shed.
At each time such a thing occurred we halted, silent and motionless,
striving to learn whether any of the enemy had been aroused by the
noise, and, hearing nothing that betokened danger, kept on until another
mis-step forced us to a halt once more. Thus we continued, traversing a
distance of no more than fifteen or eighteen feet, but which seemed to
me a full mile, until we were come to the door and had crept out into
the darkness, when I breathed a fervent prayer of thanksgiving, for
surely it seemed as if we had already overcome the greater portion of
the difficulties that lay in our way.
Saul and Pierre were leading the Tory cur, one on either side of him,
and I set off in advance as if believing I was the only lad of the three
who could pilot us in safety.
[Illustration: "WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST WARNING I FOUND MYSELF IN THE
CLUTCHES OF A MAN."]
Because we had succeeded in getting out of the shed without making
sufficient of noise to bring the guard down upon us, did I fancy we were
much the same as free to do as we pleased, and set off at a reasonably
rapid pace around the corner of the shop, when suddenly and without the
slightest warning I found myself in the clutches of a man, my throat
held so tightly in his grasp that I could not give the faintest alarm to
my comrades.
That a British sentinel who had dogged our footsteps held me prisoner, I
had no doubt, and my heart sank like lead in my breast, for to my mind
now was come the end of all things for me in this world. Because of
having been taken while prowling around the village in the night, there
could be no question but that I would be considered and punished as a
spy.
I strove in vain to give some warning to my comrades so they might make
their escape even though I was doomed; but he who held me seemingly
understood that which was in my mind, for he forced me onward lest
Pierre and Saul should over-run us, and thus for mayhap a distance of an
hundred yards we advanced, I, a prisoner, forced to lead my comrades
into what I felt certain was a shameful death.
Because the night was so black they could not see that there were two
persons in advance of them instead of one, therefore did they follow
blindly, and all unconscious of the sickly, deathly terror in my heart,
until we were come to the rise of the land on our way toward the Pigeon
Quarter, where the outlines of him who held me, and my own body, were
marked against the lighter sky.
Then I heard a muffled exclamation from Pierre, whereupon my captor
suddenly wheeled me about until we were facing the two lads and their
prisoner, when he whispered softly, yet sharply:
"Continue on as you were going, and as you value your lives make no
outcry or delay!"
Having thus spoken, one can well fancy that I was nigh to being
paralyzed with mingled astonishment and bewilderment, because the tone
was friendly and the words indicated that he would aid us. He released
his grasp on my throat, and involuntarily I stretched out my hands, when
they came in contact with my captor, and by the sense of touch I
understood that he wore a uniform.
"You are a British soldier!" I stammered, terror once more taking firm
hold upon me.
"Ay, that I am for the time being; but now move on if you would continue
that which you have begun, else are you like to fall into the hands of
other soldiers in this encampment who will have less care for your
safety."
I wish it might be possible for me to set down in words, so that he who
reads could understand, the frame of mind into which I was plunged by
this remark. When he first seized me I had no doubt but that I had begun
my journey on the road which leads to the gallows, and on learning that
he was a British soldier my fears were not lessened, yet was his
behavior and his words so unaccountable, taking into consideration who
he appeared to be, that I became numbed, like one who has received a
blow which deprives him of a portion of his senses.
How my comrades were affected I had no means of knowing; but understood
that they were obeying the commands of this man who had captured us,
because they continued on close at my heels, and from the stranger's
movements now and then I knew he was making certain they did not
attempt to deviate from the straight course which led to old Mary's
cabin.
Never did a journey seem so long, or a way so strange, as that over
which I walked like one in a dream in the darkness, surrounded on every
hand by the enemy, and knowing as I did that the king's officers set
little value on the life of those whom they call rebels.
As we advanced the situation became yet more strange and terrifying, if
indeed that could be possible, for suddenly I came to understand that
this stranger who had taken us in custody seemed familiar with the
course we should pursue, for instead of lagging ever so slightly to
learn in which direction we would go, he led us straight as an arrow
might be driven, toward our destination, and, having come to the cabin
door, pushed it open and himself entered, leaving us to follow or to
flee as might be our inclination.
I am free to confess that when he thus left me at liberty there was but
one thought in my mind, and that to seek my own safety in flight,
regardless of my comrades, or of the old negro whose life might be in
danger if I thus deserted him. I was cowardly enough for an instant to
think only of myself, to look forward only to the possibility of saving
my own skin; but, fortunately, even before I could have turned to flee
like a poltroon, I realized that it was my duty as a lad of Virginia,
even though I had seemingly thrown aside the name of Minute Boy, to
remain with my comrades whom I had thus counselled into peril.
Even at that supreme moment, when as I believed death stood facing me,
there came into my heart a feeling of shame that I should have even
thought of doing such a dastardly thing as to seek my own safety by
deserting my comrades, and I went into the cabin, following the
footsteps of our captor, hoping that no one, not even that red-coated
soldier, might suspect what had been in my mind a few seconds before.
Pierre and Saul must have understood that they could do no less than
enter this place of shelter, for it was the only one open to them in the
town of York, even though we were led by an enemy, and so thrust Horry
Sims forward on my heels until Uncle 'Rasmus closed the door behind us.
I stood there enveloped in a darkness so dense that one might, as is
said, almost feel it, wondering what strange turn of affairs had come,
and why it was that this British soldier should be so harmless--why he
should have allowed us to come into the cabin when most like he counted
on taking us to the nearest guard-house.
We remained there in silence, and, so far as I was concerned, in most
abject terror, while one might have counted ten, and then the stranger,
throwing himself down on the floor at one side of the fireplace in which
a few half-dead coals yet glimmered faintly, as if he was a welcome
visitor, said in a low whisper, yet in a tone which carried distinctly
through the room:
"You lads are from the Hamilton plantation?"
No one made reply. I was yet too much confused to have answered such a
simple question, and, as Pierre afterward told me, he refrained from
speaking because of not understanding whether it would be safe to admit
the truth.
"You need have no fear in speaking plainly before me," the man
continued. "I am wearing a British uniform, and mayhap am putting my
life in jeopardy and doing a grievous injury to the Cause by interfering
in this matter while you have a prisoner who may be able later to carry
to headquarters information of what you have done this night. I beg you
to trust me for the time being, and tell me who is this lad that you
have brought from yonder hiding place gagged lest he make an outcry?"
I was yet too thoroughly bewildered to make an intelligent reply; but
fortunately little Frenchie had begun to get his wits together, and most
like to suspect at least a portion of the truth, for he answered
promptly, not only giving the young Tory's name, but explaining why we
thus held him.
To my alarm he went so far as to tell the whole story, even though more
than once I clutched him by the arm to prevent his laying bare all our
secrets; but he threw me off with friendly violence, and continued until
the red-coated man who lay by the fireplace had full knowledge, not only
of what we had done, but of what we would do.
Then Pierre was come to an end of his story, and so seemingly eager was
he to give all the details to this stranger, who by his costume was an
enemy and by the tones of his voice a friend, that he spent no little
time in the telling of it, while I was nearly beside myself with grief
and rage because we had thus put ourselves wholly within the man's
power.
It would have been better, so I said to myself with bitterness, if we
held our peace. In case he charged us with being spies, as I counted he
intended to do, let him prove what we were, rather than that we should
give him all the evidence, making his way plain if he would hang us, and
I cried out to Pierre, my voice trembling with anger:
"Now that you have doomed us, lad, tell me in what better position you
stand than if we had held our peace? Of what advantage can it be to us
to proclaim ourselves spies in intent if not in deed, to this soldier of
the king?"
Before I could say more, and the hot words of anger were slipping from
my mouth so rapidly that I might have continued casting reproaches upon
little Frenchie until many moments had passed, the stranger interrupted
me by asking calmly:
"Now that you have brought your prisoner here to this cabin, what are
you counting on doing with him?"
Again Pierre unbosomed his very heart, and explained that we would carry
Horry Sims into the loft, one of us standing guard over him all the
time, while the others went about the work which they had set
themselves.
"It may be well to continue as if nothing had occurred," the man said
thoughtfully. "I have no doubt but that you are burning to know why I
have done this thing to-night, and yet explanations may not be made
while that Tory lad can overhear, although it is true I have already
said and done far too much in his presence. Let him understand that if
an hour ago you counted on holding him close prisoner, now are you
doubly intent on doing so, for he has at least a portion of my secret,
and there are others in this town of York besides myself who would
compass his death, rather than that he should whisper the lightest word
of what he has heard or seen."
Now it was I began to get a glimmer of light through my head; my tired
limbs ceased to tremble, and my heart beat less furiously as I set about
aiding Pierre force Horry Sims up the rude ladder.
The Tory must have been quite as terrified as I had been a few seconds
before, for he obeyed all our whispered commands, striving to find here
and there a foothold on the shaky cross-pieces, and otherwise making
every effort to ascend rapidly.
When we were in the loft and had led our prisoner to where the blanket
was spread over the puncheon planks, little Frenchie took the gag from
his mouth, saying as he did so:
"Even though you would have spied upon us, Horry Sims, I am sorry we
were forced to give you the pain of wearing this ornament; but our own
lives are of more concern than your suffering, therefore was it a
necessity. Now if so be you are minded to give up all hope of making
your escape, and do what you may toward remaining hidden from your
red-coated friends who would lend assistance if they knew of your
plight, we promise to treat you fairly, and with more of tenderness than
you deserve."
"Are you counting on leaving him to guard himself?" I asked in surprise,
believing from Pierre's words that such was his intention, and the
little lad replied promptly:
"I cannot say that it will be possible for him to do very much guarding
of himself. Certain I am that there is only one way of escape from this
loft, since the holes which serve as windows are too small to admit of
his crawling through, for I myself tried that experiment this afternoon.
If he leaves here it can only be through the scuttle, and with all of us
on the floor below, I question whether he would make much headway."
"But he can raise his voice to give an alarm," I answered, and Pierre
replied softly, turning toward the young Tory so that there might be no
question of his hearing the words:
"If he should dare to speak above a whisper, then I promise you, Fitz
Hamilton, that this gag goes into his mouth not to be removed until the
hour comes when we no longer fear his tongue."
It seemed to me reckless to leave the Tory sneak alone in the loft, even
though we would be on the floor below; but there had been so many
happenings within the past four and twenty hours which had aroused in me
needless fear, that I was ashamed to give words to what was in my mind,
lest Pierre begin to believe I was grown cowardly, and when the little
lad moved toward the scuttle, I caught him by the arm as I whispered in
his ear:
"What would you do? You have told the man below all you can, and now are
we to follow him meekly, in case it is his intent to drag us off to the
guard-house as spies?"
"I believe, if he gives us the name of spies, it will be a case of the
pot calling the kettle black," Pierre said cheerily. "Are you so
thick-headed, Fitz Hamilton, that you cannot understand somewhat of this
stranger's purpose? Surely if he was what his uniform gives token, we
would not have been treated so gently when he first came upon us; but,
instead, the alarm must have been given, and a squad of Britishers
summoned to take us away. From the instant he failed to call the guard I
began to suspect what he might be, therefore followed willingly his
directions."
"And I followed in fear and trembling," I replied shamefacedly, "for I
had no doubt but that he was leading me to the gallows."
"Then have you suffered needlessly, as do all who fail of taking heed to
everything which goes on around them, judging one incident from its
connection with another," little Frenchie said with a low, soft laugh,
and then, taking my hand in his as if he was the father and I a baby, he
led me to the scuttle, going down the ladder in advance cautiously, much
as though believing it would be necessary to aid my faltering steps.