THE AMERICANS OVERPOWERED.--SPINKS ASSISTS US TO ESCAPE.--CROSS RIVER.--
REACH WASHINGTON'S CAMP.--INTERVIEW WITH THE GREAT CHIEF.--MRS. TARLETON
FINDS HER BROTHER, COLONEL HALLET, WOUNDED.--MY STAY IN THE CAMP.--AN
AFFAIR OF OUTPOSTS.--FAREWELL TO MADELINE.--QUIT THE CAMP, ACCOMPANIED
BY SPINKS.--AFTER MANY ADVENTURES REJOIN THE TENDER.
Madeline and I endeavoured to hurry along Mrs Tarleton, but she
appeared totally insensible to the dangerous position in which she and
her niece were placed. Several bullets came whizzing by us, but she
kept her head as erect as would the oldest veteran. I had almost to
drag her on, and I was very thankful when at length we reached the door
of the building unscathed. I had told Lieutenant Spinks where to find
us, should he wish to communicate with the ladies.
In spite of his wound, he had joined in the defence of the place. Not
so Caractacus and Sambo. When we entered, I saw two bundles among the
piled-up turnips and potatoes. I gave a kick at them, and out tumbled
our two sable attendants.
"Oh, ki, massa, is dat you?" exclaimed the first, springing to his feet.
"Come along--dis no good place for any wise man. We get across de
river, and away from dese Hesse devils."
"All in good time," I answered. "Do you take care of the ladies while I
go and learn the state of affairs."
It was now the part of Mrs Tarleton and Madeline to press me to stay,
and not to expose myself to danger. I promised to obey in the latter
point, but urged the necessity of ascertaining how matters were
progressing, that I might judge whether we might safely remain where we
were, or whether it would be better at once to cross the river.
Unwillingly they let me go. I managed to climb up to the top of a wall.
A glance showed me that a considerable body of men were engaged in the
attack, and that they were well provided with field-pieces, which were
already making some impression on the walls. Two of the out-houses were
in flames; the roof of the main building had caught fire, and men were
engaged in extinguishing it, while the number of the killed and wounded
was very considerable. I felt convinced that, heroically as the
garrison were defending themselves, they could not long hold out. With
this conviction I returned to my friends, and urged Mrs Tarleton to
allow me to conduct her at once to the boat. While she was still
hesitating, Lieutenant Spinks rushed into the vault, blood streaming
from his arm. "All is lost!" he exclaimed. "Fly, ladies, fly, or those
villainous Hessians will be up to us before you can escape. The colonel
is making a stout resistance, and may keep them back for some time, but
he ordered me to come on and hasten your flight."
After hearing this, I was determined that there should be no further
delay; so, sending the negroes on to the boat, we took the ladies' arms
and followed as rapidly as they could walk. Not for a moment would I
allow them to stop and look back.
The boat was in readiness: we stepped in. I urged Spinks to come also,
as with his wound he could be of no further use. I had, however, almost
to force him on board. Without a moment's delay we shoved off. I put
Spinks at the helm, and took an oar. The blacks seized the other two,
and there was no necessity to tell them to pull away lustily. We were
only just in time. The shouts and shrieks and cries increased. Thick
flew the bullets--many passing over our heads. The flames grew
brighter; the main building was on fire, and burned furiously. By its
bright glare we could distinguish the dark figures of the combatants--
the assailants climbing over the walls on either hand, and the defenders
of the place in detached parties, still desperately endeavouring to
oppose them. Suddenly trumpets sounded, voices were heard calling
loudly, and there was a cessation of firing. We pulled on, however,
across the river, for I thought very likely that, if we were discovered
by the victors, we should be fired at, and compelled to return. The
ruddy glare was reflected on the broad stream, and the banks were
lighted up by the flames of the burning house, so that we had no
difficulty in finding our way across to the right landing-place.
The farmer in whose charge the horses had been left, brought them out as
soon as we appeared. "I would ask you to stay," he said, "but I know
not how soon the enemy may come upon us. You must take a stirrup-cup,
though; it will do the hearts of the poor ladies good. They want
something to keep up their spirits, I'm sure." I forget the mixture
that was produced. I know that it was very good, though the ladies
would not be prevailed on to do more than taste it. Lieutenant Spinks
would allow us to make only a very short delay to get his wound washed
and bound up, declaring all the time that it was of very little
consequence. "I'm well accustomed to shot-holes by this time, I guess,
so never fear," said he. I must say this for him, that he was decidedly
a very plucky fellow, and was, I suspect, a fair sample of the men who
won independence for America. The good-natured farmer then ordered a
lad on horseback to show us the way, and uttered many hearty good wishes
for our safety. "None of the enemy are to the north of us, so I think
you may reach the camp without difficulty," he remarked. He asked no
questions about me. I suspect that Caractacus and Sambo had fully
enlightened him.
We pushed on for the remainder of the night, and did not even draw rein
till morning dawned. It was wonderful how well the ladies endured the
fatigue they were undergoing; not a complaint escaped either of them;
indeed, Mrs Tarleton seemed rather to glory in the hardships she was
undergoing.
Instead of striking at once into the country, we kept to the north, so
as to make a circuit towards the spot where it was understood General
Washington was then encamped. I tried to persuade Spinks to stop and
rest, but on he would go, as long as his horse would carry him. Our
steeds, however, at last began to knock up, and we were glad to discover
a farm-house among the trees a couple of hundred yards from the road.
The inmates received us cordially. Breakfast was instantly placed
before us, and a room prepared where the ladies might lie down and seek
that rest they so much required. The farmer put Spinks into an
arm-chair, and scarcely had he finished his breakfast than he leant back
and fell fast asleep. I felt much inclined to follow his example, but
our host would not let me. He wanted to hear all about us, and, to do
him justice, he was ready to impart an abundance of information in
return. Unaccustomed to the sight of uniforms, it never occurred to him
that I was a British officer, and from the far-from-pleasant way he
spoke of my countrymen, I felt no inclination to enlighten him. What
surprised me most was to hear of the disorganised state of Washington's
army--the want of food and clothing from which it was suffering, and the
utter insufficiency of all the commissariat arrangements. The wonder
was how, in such a condition, the American forces could withstand
General Howe's well-supplied, and well-disciplined troops.
"I'll tell you what it is," observed the farmer; "one has a just cause,
and the other hasn't--that's the difference."
I did not tell him that there were two sides to that opinion, and that
some people might consider the royal cause the just one.
A three hours' rest refreshed all our party as well as our horses, and
we were once more in the saddle. No further incident of importance
occurred till in the afternoon we came suddenly on an outlying picket of
the patriot forces.
The main body of Washington's army was at this time encamped at a place
called White Marsh, about fourteen miles to the north of Philadelphia.
We had approached it from the north-east. The officer in command of the
picket came forward, and Mrs Tarleton explained who she was, and her
object in visiting the camp.
"Can you give me any information respecting my brother, Colonel Hallet?"
she asked with an anxious voice.
"Colonel Hallet is alive, madam, but he requires more rest than he
obtains," answered the officer with a grave look. "I see him often, but
I cannot report favourably of him."
I saw that more was implied than was said. While this conversation was
going on, I brought my horse close up to that of Miss Carlyon. I could
not but realise to myself that the moment of our parting had arrived.
The thought sent a pang, such as I had never before felt, through my
heart. Madeline herself looked grave and sad. Was it the account of
her uncle's state of health which made her so or was it--vain puppy that
I felt myself--because we were about to part--perhaps for ever.
How distant the prospect appeared, with the numberless vicissitudes of a
sailor's life intervening, when we might hope to meet again! Could we
venture to indulge that hope? Should we ever meet? Should I not rather
be prepared to part for ever? I would not allow myself to be overcome
by a thought so full of agony.
"Miss Carlyon!" I gasped out, and I drew my breath, while I felt as if
I could not utter another word.
"Hurricane Hurry!" said a low voice within me, "what are you about? Act
like a man!" However, I did not feel a bit the wiser. "Miss Carlyon,"
I began again, "I have almost completed the duty I was sent on. You and
your aunt will soon be within the lines of General Washington's camp."
She looked very grave, and I thought pained. I continued: "I must now
return with all speed to my ship, though--though--" I could not for the
life of me find words to express what I wanted to say.
"Mr Hurry must be aware how deep an obligation he has conferred upon my
aunt, and we should have been glad if we could have avoided making his
duty irksome," said Miss Carlyon in a low, deep voice, while the colour
came into her cheeks for an instant and then fled, leaving her paler
than before.