OUR BLUNDER
When we went out of old Mary's cabin, leaving the two prisoners
unguarded in the loft, and Uncle 'Rasmus, who could not be depended upon
in case either of the fellows should succeed in working himself free, on
the floor below, it came into my mind just for an instant that we had no
warrant for being so careless. Yet while the booming of the American
cannon was roaring in my ears and the Britishers moving to and fro like
ants whose nests have been disturbed, giving little or no heed to the
defense, then did I comfort myself with the belief that nothing of harm
could come to us.
It was in my mind that the hour of our danger had passed, and now it was
only a question of a short time before our troubles would be over and we
in the midst of our friends.
Then, as we walked slowly and unmolested through the encampment, seeing
on every hand signs and tokens of preparations for flight on the part of
the enemy, was I yet further convinced that we need not fret ourselves
regarding the future save so far as Silver Heels and Saul's mare were
concerned. I yet had hope that it might be possible to regain possession
of our pets. As a matter of course there was no idea in my mind that we
would be able to do it before Cornwallis's army had begun to retreat;
but I said again and again to myself that if we lads carried the news
of the evacuation speedily to our people, then would they set off in
such hot pursuit that there were many chances I might have Silver Heels
with me but little the worse for her experience in the British army.
So thoroughly well satisfied was I that this struggle had come to an
end, that the Britishers were willing to acknowledge themselves beaten
and now were only striving to prevent themselves from being taken
prisoners, that I gave little heed to anything save the hope of being
able, by the aid of our friends in the American army, to regain
possession of the dear little colt. I even put from my mind as if they
did not exist those two scoundrels in the loft of old Mary's cabin,
saying to myself that they could do us no harm even though they were set
at liberty this very moment, because my Lord Cornwallis had on his mind
more important matters than the taking into custody of three boys who
might be charged with being spies, by a dissolute fellow who could
produce no evidence save his own word.
We lads spent the entire day roaming here and there throughout the
encampment without hindrance, and I had even grown so bold that I went
up to Silver Heels while she was tethered on the bank of the river,
caressing her silky nose as she whinnied with delight at being with me
once more.
"Keep up your courage, my dear little Silver Heels," I whispered in her
ear as if it were possible she could understand me. "You may have a hard
time during the next four and twenty hours; but no longer, for then I
promise you we two shall be on our way to the plantation. Once there we
need have no fear that you will again be disturbed by the red-coats,
for our General Washington of Virginia is nigh upon the point of driving
the last servant of the king out of this colony."
Never a man interfered while I was caressing Silver Heels; but little
Frenchie speedily began to drag me away, whispering sharply in my ears:
"Don't get the idea into your mind, Fitz Hamilton, that all the danger
is passed, and strive not to grow reckless in your hour of triumph, for
this army will not move until after dark, and 'twixt now and then the
red-coated soldiers have it within their power to do you a deal of
mischief."
I was near to laughing at these words of caution, thinking how
completely the tables were turned between us, when it was him who
seemingly had grown timorous, and I showed myself the venturesome one.
Saul apparently gave no heed to over-cautiousness or impudence; but
wandered here and there with his hands in his coat-pockets as if he was
an honored guest, and I could well fancy that the lad much the same as
forgot all the fears which beset him a short time before.
We noted with glee the fact that the Britishers were gathering all the
boats that could be come at, and even from Gloucester Point did they
send over barges and skiffs until the river front was completely lined
with small craft.
The afternoon was not yet more than half spent before baggage wagons
were being loaded into the larger boats. I saw more than one officer
carrying his belongings down to the river to stow them in this or that
craft instead of trusting a soldier to perform the labor, as would have
been done had matters not been so pressing, and if each man who wore a
red coat was not looking forward with somewhat of fear to the
possibility that the retreating army might be choked before it had
gotten well on its way toward New York.
As the day drew nearer to a close I became painfully nervous, fearing
lest something even at this last hour should prevent my Lord Cornwallis
from carrying out his plans, and seeing the expression of trouble on my
face, understanding perhaps from that which was in his own mind, little
Frenchie whispered to me in a tone of encouragement:
"Don't fret yourself, Fitz Hamilton, fearing lest the red-coats will not
carry out the manoeuvre. They only await the coming of night, when it
will be possible to steal across the river without being seen by our
people, and then you may set it down as a fact that all these valiant
soldiers of the king will make every effort to get out of the way of
that French boy who, as my Lord Cornwallis has said, is striving to
'play war with a handful of rebels.'"
"Then there is in your mind no question but that the retreat is much the
same as begun?" I asked, wanting to hear him confirm that which was in
my mind.
"I can see no evidence of their failing to go on as they have begun,"
the lad replied cheerily, and added as he dropped his voice to a
whisper: "The one chance which may work against us is, that my Lord
Cornwallis will take some steps to prevent any of the people in the
village from carrying word regarding his movements to the Americans,
therefore let us get into some place of hiding, where we may watch all
that goes on here about the river bank without presenting ourselves to
the eyes of the red-coats."
Hardly more than fifty yards from where we were then standing were the
ruins of a house which had been literally torn into fragments by shot
from the American lines. Under these splintered and partially-burned
timbers would it be possible for us to find a fairly good hiding place,
unless peradventure strict search might be made, which was not probable
because so far as we knew, the red-coats had no reason to suspect us as
being other than lads whose parents so loved the king that they had been
willing to remain in the village of York even during the siege.
Saul was not at first inclined to go into hiding. When Pierre told him
what we would do, he declared that it was putting ourselves to useless
trouble, for these gentry who wore red coats no longer had the time nor
the inclination to concern themselves about us; but when little Frenchie
explained that we might in some way be prevented from carrying early
news of the retreat to the American lines, then my cousin followed,
unwillingly, mayhap, still he kept at our heels until we had wriggled
our way beneath the shattered timbers to where it was possible to have a
fairly good view of the river.
It was not until we had snugly stowed ourselves into this place that I
began to realize how great was the danger which menaced. Our people had
the range so well that the buildings roundabout this place were torn and
wrecked, while now and then a shot came unpleasantly near, and I saw two
men killed while they were striving to get one of the heavy baggage
wagons on board a barge.
Then I realized that it was more than possible we might never come out
from beneath these timbers alive because of having been killed by our
own friends. The triumph which had been mine was sadly marred by the
timorousness which came over me, as I understood that death might be
nearer at hand than when we were in old Mary's cabin, with Abel Hunt
roaming around the village in search of us.
Not for anything I owned of worldly goods would I have allowed Pierre to
know that which was in my mind. I strove manfully to drive out the fear
by saying to myself that while we remained in the village of York
exposed to the fire of our friends we were as safe in one place as
another, and if it was written we should die that day, then did it make
little difference what precautions might have been taken.
When the sun had set the activity of the red-coats was redoubled. In the
twilight we who were hiding beneath the ruins could see the officers as
they went to and fro hurriedly, and hear their sharp words of command or
of reproof as they chided this man or that with lingering, or strove to
incite a squad into more rapid movement.
Now was my heart beating so loudly and so violently that it was as if
even the enemy on the river bank must hear it, for I realized that the
supreme moment for us of Virginia had come, and could conjure up nothing
which might prevent the Britishers from carrying out their plans.
I ceased to think of Uncle 'Rasmus who had been alone in the cabin all
day, and gave no heed whatsoever to those scoundrels in the loft; forgot
all else save the fact that the moment was fast approaching when I
would be on my way to the American lines with the most welcome news ever
carried by a lad of Virginia.
It was not until nigh to ten o'clock, as nearly as I could judge of the
flight of time, that we saw the first of the boats loaded with men push
off, heading for Gloucester Point.
The retreat had begun! Barge after barge, skiff after skiff, and craft
of every kind, all heavily laden with soldiers or with baggage, set off
from the shore, while as far back from the river as Governor Nelson's
house, where my Lord Cornwallis had his headquarters, the men were
massed awaiting their turn.
"Now has come the time, Fitz, when we must make ready for a swift
journey," little Frenchie whispered, as if counting it a long distance
from old Mary's cabin to the outposts of the American lines, whereas it
was within less than half a cannon-shot. "Every minute is precious now,
and I am counting that we should be ready to set off on the instant the
men have been called in from the outer works."
"What preparations have we to make?" I asked in surprise.
"Have you forgotten Uncle 'Rasmus and the prisoners?"
"I count that they are yet in old Mary's cabin, and there they may
remain until our people have entered the village," I replied
indifferently.
"But none of them have broken their fast this day, and those fellows in
the loft have had nothing whatsoever of drink."
"Well, what then?" I asked irritably. "Neither have we lads had anything
to eat, and, save that it is possible for us to drink our fill, I see
not that we are any better off than they."
"But we must not have ever on our consciences the knowledge that we
doomed two human beings to starvation."
"Surely there is no danger of their dying 'twixt now and to-morrow, and
by that time our people will be here."
"As to that you cannot say, Fitz Hamilton. True it is the enemy is
retreating; but the night is half spent, and it may be that the last of
the troops will not have gone over much before daylight. Then our army
is like to set out in pursuit, and I am minded to go with it, whereas
matters be arranged properly at the cabin, we are confined here in the
village with no opportunity of showing ourselves as Minute Boys among
real soldiers."
I had almost forgotten that we decided to call ourselves Minute Boys.
There had been so much of pain, fear and hope during the past four and
twenty hours that all else had gone from my mind, save the fact that the
Britishers were much the same as whipped, and that it might be possible
for me to regain possession of Silver Heels.
When, however, Pierre thus reminded me that we might, even at this
eleventh hour, do something toward showing ourselves worthy of being
called Minute Boys, although we really accomplished nothing more, then
was I fired with the same desire that was in his mind.
Although as I have said many times, I had little knowledge of military
matters, it appeared to me that as soon as it was learned the red-coats
had crossed over to Gloucester our people would, by using the boats and
vessels which were lying in the stream 'twixt York and Williamsburg,
cross directly over to the other shore without coming down through the
village, for thus they might circle around the advance of the retreating
foe.
In the meanwhile both encampments would be in the hands of such Tories
as had remained throughout the siege, and, most like, a certain number
of camp followers would linger behind.
"What can be done with Uncle 'Rasmus?" I asked anxiously, fearing lest
it might be necessary we take him with us and thus have a drag on our
movements, for the old man could not travel very swiftly; but little
Frenchie had the matter already mapped out in his mind as I might have
understood, and replied:
"It has been decided that you shall go on a westerly course, while
carrying word across the lines, and therefore it is I propose you take
Uncle 'Rasmus with you. Once beyond the enemy's works, where there is no
danger either Tory or camp follower can molest him, set the old fellow's
face toward the Hamilton plantation and let him plod his way on alone,
for there is naught of danger on that road."
"But the prisoners?" I asked.
"They must be set free, else will it become our duty to remain here
instead of joining in the pursuit."
"When do you count that should be done?" I asked, and much to my
surprise little Frenchie replied thoughtfully:
"There is no reason why we should not begin at once, and every
inducement for us to have our preparations made for a quick departure
from the town. Suppose you go back and attend to it? Within the hour we
must be on our way, for when those boatmen who have just put off, come
back and take on another cargo, then is the retreat much the same as
accomplished, for by that time every soldier from the works roundabout
will be called in."
Because of the past, when Pierre had shown himself so quick-witted and
having such a good idea of military matters, I made no protest against
his proposition; but stood ready to obey implicitly any orders he might
give. Therefore I asked how he had it in his mind we should release the
prisoners, for I was not burning to go into the loft and set Abel Hunt
free, because of knowing that the first of us lads with whom that
scoundrel came in contact when he was at liberty to use his hands, would
suffer most severely.
Pierre had it all planned out, and, as I believed, in a most skillful
manner. He proposed that after Uncle 'Rasmus had left the building, and
had gotten say twenty or thirty yards on his road toward the Hamilton
plantation, I should bring Horry Sims down to the lower floor, and there
set him free with instructions for him to remain where he was a certain
length of time, after which he was to go up and release Abel Hunt.
Before this could be done I ought to be well toward the enemy's outer
works, where I was to remain in hiding until all the Britishers had left
their posts. This would give me the advantage of starting instantly the
works were abandoned, and even before the last of the army had embarked,
therefore was it reasonable to suppose I might gain speech with some of
the officers of our army while there was yet time to draw the nets
around the fleeing red-coats.
"I will go whenever you shall say the word," was my reply after little
Frenchie had explained thoroughly the plan. "But what is Saul to do in
the meanwhile?"
"I am counting that when you start for old Mary's cabin, he shall set
off further to the eastward, where he will remain hidden as I propose
you are to do, until the works have been abandoned."
"And you yourself, Pierre?"
"I am counting to wait here only until I see the boatmen return from the
Gloucester shore to take on another cargo, and then I shall follow your
example, giving no heed, however, to either you or Saul; but bending all
my energies toward getting within the lines of our people with as little
loss of time as may be."
After this there was nothing for me to say, unless peradventure I had
some fault to find with the plan, and I lingered only to press each of
my comrades by the hand as I whispered:
"God grant that we Minute Boys of York Town, as from this instant we
will call ourselves, may be able to do that thing to-night which will
result in the capture of Lord Cornwallis and all his troops!"
Then I crept out from the shattered timbers, not taking overly great
care to avoid making a noise for there were none who would pay
particular attention to me at that time, and once free of the ruins I
walked without undue haste in the direction of old Mary's cabin, knowing
that I had ample time to do all which was set me before the way into the
American lines would be opened.
When I entered the cabin Uncle 'Rasmus was seated by the window, as he
ever had been since we came into this place of refuge, patiently waiting
for our coming, and surely the old man's heart must have been tried
during that long, long day when we failed to give any token of our
whereabouts, for he had good reason to fear, because of our continued
absence, that some trouble had overtaken us. Yet there was never a word
of repining or reproach upon his lips when I showed myself.
"Bress de Lawd, honey; bress de Lawd dat you'se come back! Whar's de
odder chillun?"
I speedily made the old man acquainted with all that was going on; but
did not tell him what it was proposed he and I should do, for luckily I
realized that Abel Hunt's ears were open, and if I should advertise all
our proposed movements there might possibly be a chance of his
overtaking us to wreak revenge before our task could be finished.
Therefore it was I told the old man only that the British army was
retreating, and made an overly long story because he could not refrain
from crying out in his joy now and again, and insisted on hearing all
the little details concerning the movements of the soldiers.
But the story was told finally, however, and then I led the old man out
of the cabin, he following me obediently, never asking where we were
going, and when we had come to a ruined building mayhap fifty yards
distant from old Mary's cabin, I halted, explained what we would do,
saying that he should stay there while I went back and released the
prisoners.
For the first time in my life Uncle 'Rasmus set his face against that
which I would do. He declared that Pierre was in the wrong when he
would handle the Tories so tenderly; that our first and only thought
should be of our own safety, and no heed be given to the sufferings of
those who would have sent us to the gallows.
I was not able to argue successfully with the old negro because there
was in my mind much the same thought as in his, yet did I know that the
fellows must be set free since it was a portion of Pierre's plan. I had
promised him it should be done, and if I failed in my part of the work
then might all the rest go awry. It was to my mind a question of doing
exactly as the little lad had planned, or else let him understand that I
was set against a certain portion of it.
All this I said to Uncle 'Rasmus, striving to make him understand
clearly why I must go on even though it was against my inclination, and
when I was finally come to an end the old man said in a tone of
resignation:
"Well, honey, I'se 'lowin' you'se gwine to do jes' as dat yere little
French boy says; but I'se tellin' you, chile, dat de only way to treat
dese yere Tories is de way you treat a rattlesnake, an' dat is to get
'em on de end ob a split stick an' leabe 'em dere, widout worryin' yo'
head ef dey's habin' it comfortable or not."
"I'll go back and do as I've promised, Uncle 'Rasmus. You stay here, and
in five minutes I shall return unless something unfortunate happens."
"Keep your eye mighty sharp on dat Abel Hunt, chile. Don' let him get de
best ob you no how, kase he's slippery, an' like de rattler, he's gwine
to strike when you ain' lookin' for it."
"I'm not counting on having any trouble whatsoever with Abel, Uncle
'Rasmus. Horry Sims is to do that part of it, as I have told you."
Then I went hurriedly away, feeling ill at ease on this errand of mercy
because of the old negro's insistence that it was dangerous and bordered
on folly to set loose such as Abel Hunt, when we had him trussed up
where it was not possible for him to do any mischief.
I hastened back to old Mary's cabin, and, halting not on the floor
below, went directly into the loft, where, cutting the bonds that held
Horry Sims's feet, I ordered him to follow me down the ladder. At that
moment I would, had it not been for Uncle 'Rasmus's warning, have taken
the gag from Abel Hunt's mouth that he might be saved just so many more
moments of suffering; but having in mind all the old negro had advanced
as an argument against showing such mercy, I withheld my hand, and Horry
Sims followed me in surprise and bewilderment at this sudden change in
affairs, as obediently as a well whipped cur would have done.
It had been Pierre's command that I bring the Tory lad down to the floor
below, there set him free, and then make my escape; but, because of the
doubts in my heart, I exceeded little Frenchie's instructions by leading
him some distance, say an hundred feet, from the cabin before telling
him what were my intentions.
"You are to go back now and release Abel Hunt," I said, after having
explained to him as much as I thought necessary, although I took care to
have the lad understand that his British friends were retreating.
"And after that has been done?" Horry asked as if counting that he must
continue to obey me however the circumstances might be changed.
"When you have released Abel you may go whithersoever you please."
"And do you count that the time will never come, Fitzroy Hamilton, when
I can repay you, Saul Ogden and that French boy for what you have done?"
the young Tory cried as soon as I had removed the bonds from his hands,
his courage reviving immediately he was free of limb, and the anger
which he had been bottling up while he was helpless, pouring from his
mouth in a torrent of words as he threatened this, that and the other,
which should come to me and mine.
"I have no care as to what you can do, Horry Sims," I said, holding him
by the shoulder so he should not be able to leave until I had given him
due warning. "Remember you this, that the next time you come across my
path with any intent of evil, or with any token that you would raise
your hand against me, from that moment what you have already suffered as
a prisoner will be as nothing compared with the punishment we lads will
deal out. Now that your friends the Britishers are being driven from the
soil of Virginia your fangs are gone. If you have any commonsense in
that Tory head of yours you will keep a still tongue, and never raise
your hand against any of the people in this colony."
Then I released the cur, and watched for an instant to see that he went
straight back toward the cabin, after which I turned about to rejoin
Uncle 'Rasmus, and at that instant it was as if all nature had suddenly
been convulsed.
Because of my excitement, and owing to the fact that I was so intent
upon that which was to be done, I had given no heed to the tokens in
the sky, and the clouds may have been gathering half an hour or more
without my knowledge. Certain it is, however, that on the instant, and
suddenly as the lightning's flash, came the roar of a tempest that shook
the half-ruined houses nearabout until the last timbers were overthrown,
and I was forced to exert all my strength in order to stand against that
furious blast. Then came peal upon peal of thunder, which drowned the
roaring of the guns, for our people were yet firing upon the doomed
village in order to show the Britishers that they were on the alert.
The vibration of the thunder had hardly died away when the lightning
flashed great sheets of flame across the eastern sky, illumining the
river whereon boats were plying to and fro, and showing clear as in a
mirror the red-coats massed upon the banks awaiting their turn to go
across to Gloucester Point.
After that came a downpour of water, when the wind drove the rain-drops
in solid sheets, as you might say, which stung one's face like thousands
of needles. The roaring of thunder, for after the first outburst of the
tempest it seemed to be almost continuous, the blinding flashes of
light, together with the deluge of water, all served to confuse one, and
I believe I stood there struggling against the elements to hold my
footing, a full minute before gathering my wits sufficiently to turn
about in order to rejoin Uncle 'Rasmus.
"For de Lawd's sake, honey, am de earth turnin' upside down?" the old
man cried when I came to where he stood exposed to all the fury of the
tempest, for he dared not remain amid the ruins of the building where
great timbers were being flung about by the wind like straws. "What's
Gin'ral Cornwallis gone done to bring on dis yere ter'ble racket?"
"I have released the Tories, Uncle 'Rasmus," I shouted, forced to speak
close in his ear else he could not have heard me. "Why should we not
push on even as Pierre has planned for us to do?"
"Was you gwine to tell our people dat de Britishers were takin' to dere
heels for Gloucester Point?" Uncle 'Rasmus asked, as if having forgotten
all that I had told him.
"Of course that is the story. Why else should it be necessary for us to
make such haste?"
"Den stay whar you are, honey. Dere's gwine to be no retreatin' dis yere
night."
"What do you mean?" I asked in bewilderment, almost fancying the old man
had taken leave of his senses. "We saw a portion of the army go across."
"I'se 'lowin' all dat, honey; but yer Uncle 'Rasmus am tellin' yer dat
dere won't any odder Britishers go ober dis yere night. I'se libed right
erlong dis riber all my life, an' I knows dere ain' de bigges' skiff
eber was built dat could make a landin' on de Gloucester shore sence dis
yere storm got up. Gin'ral Cornwallis am boun' to put an end to dat ere
fun ob his kase he can't get across, honey, I'se tellin' yer he can't
get across, not till dis yere racket done died away, an' den dere's
boun' fo' to be a ragin' torrent."
It was not until several moments had passed that I realized the truth of
all Uncle 'Rasmus had said. Then was borne in upon me the memory of what
I had seen in ordinary hurricanes, when the river had been lashed into
a fury by the wind, and the ablest boatmen along the shore dare not put
out, for I venture to say there is no other body of water in this
country so quickly changed to a boiling flood, or so dangerous to cross,
as that portion of the York river which turns around Gloucester Point.
While I stood there in painful indecision, tears of disappointment
rolling down my cheeks because at the very moment our time of triumph
was apparently come it was turned aside by the elements themselves, I
saw as the electric flashes lighted up the sky even more brilliantly
than before, two forms come out of old Mary's cabin and set off in the
direction of Governor Nelson's house, where my Lord Cornwallis made his
headquarters.
"There go Abel Hunt and Horry Sims!" I cried bitterly. "The tempest is
as nothing to them so that they may lodge a charge against us as being
spies, to the end that we may come to the gallows here in this village
of York."
"Hab dey done gone out ob de cabin, honey?" Uncle 'Rasmus cried, and
when I repeated again that which I had seen the old man said as he held
my head down to his mouth that no word might be swept aside by the
furious blast:
"You'se boun' to go back, honey, boun' to go back inter de house, kase
when de mornin' comes you'se gwine to be in a pickle wid Abel Hunt an'
Horry Sims gallivantin' 'roun' tryin' to lay you by de heels. Go back in
dar 'fore dey comes dis yere way!"
"But why should we go there, Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried angrily. "Why shut
ourselves up in a trap where the Britishers may lay hands on us whenever
they may be so disposed?"
"You'se gwine back dar, honey, kase dere ain' any odder place in dis
yere village. Dere's no show ob gettin' trou de lines now, chile, an'
what you'se needin' is dem yere guns what we done hid under de floor."
"You're crazy, Uncle 'Rasmus! You're crazy to think we three lads may
stand up against all these Britishers!" and now indeed did I lose my
temper; but Uncle 'Rasmus, still holding my head where he could make
certain every word he spoke might be heard by me, said earnestly:
"Tell me whar's you gwine to go, honey, ef you don' hide yoursef in ole
Mary's cabin? Does you count on bein' run 'roun' dis yere village when
de sun comes up, like a fox wid a houn' at his tail? Ef de Britishers
hab begun to get across to Gloucester Point, dere's a chance dey'll keep
at it when de riber quiets down, an' all you chillun's needin' to do is
keep whar you can hol' your own. Get back inter de cabin, honey!"
Then it was that Uncle 'Rasmus took me by the arm with a strength which
I never suspected was in his frail body, and although I struggled not,
he literally dragged me through that howling, raging tempest to the
hovel which I thought I had left never to return, and we two entered,
the water running in streams from our garments as we stood in the middle
of the floor silent and motionless, each striving, most like, to decide
what should next be done.