ANOTHER COMMISSION
The horses which De Banyan and Somers rode were those taken from the
stable of Captain Sheffield, which had not yet been removed from Dr.
Scoville's stable; while that on which Alick was mounted was one of the
best of his master's stock. The party proceeded through the fields for a
short distance till they came to a cross-road, when they put their horses
to the top of their speed. The guide was familiar with all the roads in
the vicinity. The information which he had obtained from the doctor was
exceedingly valuable; for it assured the fugitives in what direction the
search for them had been pushed.
Dr. Scoville believed that the prisoners were concealed in the vicinity
of the city, and that at night they would attempt to make their way in
the direction of City Point; and he assured Alick that they would
certainly be caught before morning, for the country in that region was
strongly picketed by cavalry. It is more than probable they would have
been taken if the doctor had not been so obliging as to inform Alick of
these facts. The faithful black, who had served his master, man and boy,
for forty years, was entitled to this consideration. Of course, he could
not have believed that Alick would be so ungrateful and ungenerous as to
run away from him; but it is a fact which speaks well for the negro race,
that so many have preferred liberty with toil and hardship to slavery
with ease and plenty.
Somers had over-estimated his power of endurance; and a hard gallop of
five miles was about the extent of his capacity. The rude jolting of his
arm made it extremely painful, while his system, reduced by the fever
attending the wound, was incapable of supporting such a heavy draft upon
his strength. He bore up against the pain and faintness which beset him
as long as he could; but at last, to the oft-repeated inquiries of
Captain de Banyan in regard to his condition, he was compelled to answer
in the most discouraging terms.
"We must stop and rest," said the captain. "We have about fifteen miles
more to go; and you mustn't break down yet, Somers."
"Here, massa, take some of this," said Alick, as he reined in his horse.
"What is it?" asked Somers faintly.
"Brandy."
"I can't drink brandy."
"It will do you good, my dear boy. There is strength in brandy--only as
medicine. Don't be stubborn, Somers."
"Good brandy, massa," added Alick. "I brought it along on purpose for
you. I was mighty feared you wouldn't be able to stand the ride."
"I am willing to take it if it will do me any good," said Somers. "I am
about used up."
The sufferer drank two or three swallows of the fiery liquid from the
bottle after he had dismounted. The potion gave him an artificial life,
which enabled him to ride five miles farther, though at a much slower
pace than before. The roads seemed to be entirely deserted, and the party
felt satisfied that they had passed out of the reach of a successful
pursuit. Another dose of brandy gave Somers strength enough to accomplish
fifteen miles of the journey; but at this point he was absolutely unable
to sit on his horse. With the assistance of De Banyan, he got off and lay
for two hours on the ground, where his devoted companions made him a bed
of their coats. Alick produced some bacon and crackers, which he had
brought for an emergency, of which Somers partook in small quantities.
Pressed by his fellow-fugitives, he again drank some brandy; and while
his head was flying round like a top, his friends placed him on the horse
again.
In the overpowering weakness and suffering of the hour, Somers had begged
his companions to leave him to his fate; but De Banyan declared that he
would be hanged a dozen times before he would do so mean and wicked an
act. With the fumes of the brandy darting in every direction through his
brain, which seemed to be about fifty feet above his shoulders, he
spurred on his horse. The liquor had inspired him to a kind of
desperation. He hardly knew what he was about, and even forgot the pain
of his wounded arm.
"Halt!" shouted De Banyan, as the party dashed over a rude bridge
extending across a broad creek. "Halt, Somers!"
But Somers heeded not the word, and still spurred on, till the captain,
who rode the fastest animal, could overtake him. He succeeded in stopping
the furious rider, and in making him understand that they had reached the
end of their journey in this direction. They returned to the bridge,
where the sharp eye of the captain had discerned a boat moored to a tree,
a short distance below the road. Somers, still stupefied by the effects
of the brandy, tamely submitted to whatever disposition his companions
chose to make of him. Taking off their coats, they made for him a bed in
the bottom of the boat, which was a large yawl, evidently used for
conveying merchandise to some point farther up the creek. The horses were
turned loose, and the captain and Alick took the oars.
After pulling for half an hour, they were rewarded by a view of the broad
river which to them was like the Land of Promise; and moored in the
middle there was a steamer, which in those waters could belong to no
other party than the United States Government. They rowed out to this
vessel, and hailed her. Of course they were cordially welcomed after a
satisfactory explanation had been given.
"Glory hallelujah! How do you feel, Somers?" said Captain de Banyan,
after he had insured a proper reception on board of the steamer.
"Badly, very badly," replied Somers faintly.
"Well, cheer up, my boy! We have got home again."
"Home!" said Somers, raising himself partially up at the sound of that
magical word.
The captain and Alick lifted him tenderly, and assisted him up the
accommodation-ladder of the steamer. The vessel was a gunboat bound up
the river, and was waiting for the daylight. Somers was taken to the
ward-room, where the surgeon dressed his arm, and prescribed for his
bodily ailments. Alick was duly installed as his nurse, though Captain de
Banyan performed the greater part of his duty. But the consciousness that
he was again beneath the old flag did more for the patient than even the
assiduous care of his devoted friends.
After leaving Petersburg the fugitives had pursued a nearly easterly
course till they arrived at the bridge over Chipoak Creek, where they had
abandoned their horses, and taken the boat. Alick had chosen this
direction to avoid the pickets which were on the lookout for them in the
vicinity of the City Point Railroad. His calculations had been well made,
and he was rewarded for his zeal and skill by the priceless boon of
freedom, which he preferred even to the life of comfort and ease he had
enjoyed beneath the roof of his kind but eccentric master.
How Dr. Scoville ever made his peace with the provost-marshal of
Petersburg we are not informed; but we will venture to say that his whims
were not respected after the events we have narrated. He was a wilful
man; but his guests were very sorry to be compelled to make him such an
ungenerous return for his noble hospitality. When the war is ended, and
he is enabled fully to understand the meaning of treason to our
beneficent Government, no doubt he will be very thankful that his
prisoner guests escaped as they did.
At nine o'clock on the following morning, the gunboat dropped her anchor
off Harrison's Landing. Somers, who had slept for several hours, was more
comfortable, though he was still in a deplorable condition. With the
kindly assistance of his friends, he was landed at the pier, and conveyed
in an ambulance to the headquarters of the division. Leaning on the arm
of De Banyan, he entered the tent of the general.
"Captain Somers!" exclaimed the general. "I had given you up for lost.
Why, you have grown ten years older in five days!"
"I have the honor to make my report, general," said Somers with a faint
smile.
"Your report? Good! After losing you, I did not dare to send another
officer upon such a perilous errand. But, Captain Somers, you are all
used up," added the general, with a glance filled with sympathy--a look
which Somers regarded as an adequate reward for all he had suffered; for
to have _that_ man feel an interest in him was better in his estimation
than the plaudits of the multitude. "What is the matter with your arm?"
"I was shot at Petersburg," replied Somers.
"Well, well, captain, you must go to the hospital: and
Captain--what's-his-name----"
"Captain de Banyan, at your service," promptly responded Somers's
faithful friend.
"Captain de Banyan shall report for you, and tell me all about this
scrape," added the general. "Get into your carriage, Captain Somers, and
go to the hospital. I will call and see you to-day or to-morrow."
"Thank you, general."
Captain de Banyan assisted him into the ambulance; and, when he had
placed him in the care of the surgeon, he returned to headquarters to
tell the marvelous story of their capture by the rebels, and their escape
from Petersburg. It is quite likely that he did not add his experience in
Tennessee; but when the general called on Somers at the hospital the next
morning, the latter supplied all that had been withheld. The general had
a higher regard for the captain's patriotism than ever before, for he had
voluntarily renounced the ranks of the rebellion, and placed himself on
the side of his country. There was nothing against him; on the contrary,
his conduct had been in the highest degree praiseworthy. But Captain de
Banyan was sensitive on this point; and the general readily promised to
conceal what the brave fellow regarded as a stain upon his character.
Captain Somers did not improve so rapidly as his friends desired. The
surgeon declared that his night ride from Petersburg, in his feeble
condition, had done him more injury than a year's hard service; and after
he had been in the hospital ten days, it was deemed advisable to give him
a furlough, and send him home, especially as the division was then under
orders to march to Yorktown. The gallant young hero regretted the
necessity of leaving the regiment just as he had been promoted; but he
was in no condition to endure the long and weary march. He was able to
walk about a little; and on the day before the sailing of the transport
by which he was to proceed to Washington, he received another visit from
the general.
After a few kind inquiries in regard to the invalid's condition, the
general took from his pocket one of those great official envelopes which
so often carry joy to the heart of the gallant officer. Somers was
amazed. It could not be possible that his own promotion was indicated by
this document. It was not three weeks since his commission as captain had
reached him; but then Senator Guilford was a great man, and wielded a
tremendous influence, both at Washington, and with the military
authorities of his native State.
Recalling his former declaration to Captain de Banyan, he was fully
resolved to decline any further promotion, at least until he had done
something which entitled him to this distinction. The general held up the
formidable packet, while Somers's pale face was suffused with blushes.
"I have brought you a major's commission, Somers; and I know it will give
you joy."
"Really, sir; ah! general, I don't think----"
"Don't you?" laughed the general.
"I don't deserve it, general; and you will pardon me if I say I cannot
accept it. I am very grateful to you; but----"
"Oh, it isn't for you!" roared the general as he handed him the official
paper.
"Major de Banyan!" exclaimed Captain Somers as he read the superscription
with a thrill of delight. "It is indeed a joy to me. I am ten times as
happy as I should have been if my own name had been coupled with that
title. I am ever so much obliged to you."
"Senator Guilford again! By the way, Captain Somers, you must call on him
when you get to Washington."
"I shall certainly do so. But I know my friend could not have been
promoted without the good word which you have spoken for him."
"Well, it is all right, captain. Major de Banyan is a brave fellow. He
has done you a good turn; and I waylaid this document so as to afford you
the pleasure of being the first to address him by his new title."
"Thank you, general."
"And, captain, if you could prevail on the major to be a little more
reasonable in some of the lies he tells, his reputation for veracity
would be improved."
"I will endeavor to do so."
The general bade the invalid a hearty and even affectionate adieu; and
they did not meet again till they grasped hands on the bloody field of
Antietam, where Somers acted in a new sphere of duty. No sooner had the
general departed, than Somers, inspired to new vigor by the joyful event
which had just transpired, hastened to the camp of the regiment.
"Ah, Somers; my dear boy! how are you now?" said his friend as he seized
his hand.
"Better, I thank you, _Major_ de Banyan."
"Come, now, Somers, that is cruel! A friend of mine, just before the
battle of Solferino----"
"Confound the battle of Solferino, Major de Banyan!"
"I was about to say that a friend of mine, just before the battle of
Solferino, made fun of my aspirations, just as you do now----"
"I don't do anything of the sort. Here's the official document. If I read
right, it says Major de Banyan."
"Somers," said the captain, winking very rapidly to dissipate some
evidences of weakness which were struggling for existence in his
eyes--"Somers, you have done this."
"I did write to Senator Guilford about you before we went over the river;
and now I thank God with all my soul that I did so."
"Somers, you are one of the best of friends!" exclaimed the major as he
stood with the unopened document in his hand.
"And so are you. Without you, I should have been in a rebel prison or
under the sod at this time."
"God bless you, Somers!" ejaculated De Banyan, as with trembling hand he
opened the envelope, and took therefrom his major's commission. "I have
loved you just like a younger brother; not selfishly, my dear boy, but
with my whole heart. You haven't disappointed me, only once, when----"
"Don't mention it. I thought you were a rebel then, but I repented."
"I don't blame you. Now, Somers, you are going home. May God bless you
and keep you! I shall be as sad as a maiden who has lost her lover, while
you are gone."
"I shall not be absent long. We shall be together again in a few weeks."
"I hope so. I have no home now. It has been desolated by treason. I heard
since I came over that my wife was dead. I had a son, a boy of fifteen; I
know not where he is. Well, well; I will not groan or complain. I will do
my duty to my country, and that shall cheer my heart;" and with an effort
of his powerful will, he banished the sad reflections from his mind, and
smiled as though earth had no sorrows. "After the battle of Magenta, I
had the blues, and----"
"One word, De Banyan. _Were_ you at the battle of Magenta?" said Somers
solemnly.
The major looked on the ground, at the commission he had just received,
and then into the sympathizing face of his friend.
"To tell the truth, Somers, I was not; but I fought in every battle in
Mexico, from Vera Cruz up to the capital."
Somers improved this opportunity to repeat the injunction of the general.
"Now promise me, major, that you will never say Magenta or anything of
the sort again as long as you live," added Somers.
"That would be a rash promise. I have got a bad habit, and I will try to
cure myself of it. On my soul I will, my dear boy!"
In the course of the conversation the major, who was now in a
truth-telling mood, informed Somers that he had, after his escape from
the rebel army, enlisted in the regular army, where he had been made a
sergeant, and, through the influence of a Massachusetts officer, had been
commissioned as a captain. His gallantry had won a swift reward.
On the following day they parted on board the transport in the river; and
in that sad hour the friendship which, though brief in duration, had been
fruitful enough for a lifetime, was pledged for the future. They parted,
De Banyan to mingle in the terrible scenes in which the regiment was
engaged before the close of the month, and Somers to bask in the smiles
of the loved ones at home. Alick, who had been regularly installed as the
captain's servant, went with him.