AT WATUGA.
Captain Depuyster, who had been charged by Major Ferguson with seeing
that the boys were passed through the line of sentinels surrounding
the encampment, lingered behind for a moment to speak with the
commander, and the newly-released prisoners were still in such a maze
of bewilderment at having been given their liberty that they failed to
realize there might be necessity for a captain's escort.
They went out of the dwelling, past the sentinels at the door in
silence; it was as if neither dared to speak lest the sound of his
voice might cause the British commander to reconsider his
determination.
Without so much as looking behind them to learn if Captain Depuyster
was following, for as a matter of fact they hardly heard the command
which Major Ferguson gave relative to their departure, they went
straight from the door toward the trail which led to Greene's Spring;
but before having advanced twenty paces they were brought to a halt as
Ephraim Sowers stepped in front of them.
"Have a care you rebels!" the Tory cried threateningly. "Don't get the
idea that you can run away whenever the fancy takes you, for I am not
to be caught at a disadvantage every hour in the day, as I was last
night."
"If we come in contact with you again there will be more damage done
than when we contented ourselves with making you prisoner," Nathan
said sharply. "Stand aside, or it will be the worse for you."
Ephraim looked up in surprise that the prisoners should have retained
such an independent bearing after their interview with the major, for
he counted upon their having been reduced to abject submission. He was
not to be frightened by their threats, however, now that he was in the
open air with the redcoated soldiery all around him; and instead of
obeying Nathan's command he brandished his fists as he cried:
"Get back to the house until I can learn what is to be done with you."
"We will give you the information without any necessity for your
returning," Evan said with a laugh, which only served to irritate the
Tory. "We have Major Ferguson's permission to depart, and count on
doing so without allowing ourselves to be delayed by such as you."
"Major Ferguson's permission to depart!" Ephraim repeated stupidly.
"Step aside, or we may be called upon to put you out of our path with
more force than is agreeable."
"You lie when you say the major has released you!"
"Hark you, Ephraim Sowers; I am not minded to get into a brawl
hereabouts; but so much as repeat that word, and I shall give no heed
as to the consequences," Nathan said sternly. "You and I have a long
reckoning to be settled, and I do not desire to begin it now; yet I
shall if you are not choice of your words."
Ephraim looked from one to the other questioningly, as if trying to
decide how he might best reduce these lads to the proper state of
submission, and then called peremptorily to a soldier who was passing
near by:
"Hello there! Here are two prisoners who count on escaping by
pretending that Major Ferguson has given them permission to depart.
Come and take them in charge."
"Are these your orders, or do you repeat some other's words?"
"Don't stop to talk; but lay hold of these two rebels, lest by sheer
boldness they succeed in making off."
"Best keep a quiet and civil tongue in your head, youngster, for I am
not minded to take orders from one who does such dirty work as you,"
the soldier said surlily, and passed on, leaving Ephraim crimson with
rage.
Near by where the boys had been halted was a stack of muskets, and
running quickly up to them the Tory seized one, regardless of the fact
that by so doing he allowed all the others to fall to the ground.
Then, turning suddenly, he aimed the weapon full at the two lads,
crying as he did so:
"Wheel about, and march back to the house, or I shall shoot. Don't
think you can get the upperhand of me as readily as you did last
night, for I am not minded to deal gently with you now."
"Ho, there! Guard!" a voice cried. "Seize that lad and let him be
deprived of his liberty until he has sense enough to keep in his own
station."
The soldier who had refused to obey Ephraim wheeled about suddenly
upon receiving this command from Captain Depuyster, who had just come
from the dwelling, and before the young Tory was well aware of the
change in the position of affairs, he was being marched toward the
stables, the trooper's hand clutching his collar so tightly as to
render breathing a difficult operation.
"You can go on now, and see to it that you do not loiter, until you
have repeated Major Ferguson's words to the rebels round about."
Once more the boys set their faces toward Greene's Spring, and as they
marched rapidly away the captain followed them until they were past
the line of sentinels.
Then he turned on his heel, and the two who had so lately been
prisoners slackened not their pace until a mile or more was traversed,
when as if with one accord they came to a halt, in order to
congratulate each other upon the fortunate and unexpected turn of
affairs.
It is not necessary to repeat here what they said, for one can well
fancy how extravagant were their words and demonstrations of joy at
finding themselves free when it had seemed positive they were doomed
to a long term of imprisonment, during which time Ephraim Sowers might
often play the part of jailer.
They hugged each other as if the thankfulness in their hearts could be
thus shown better than by words, and laughed loud and long at the
discomfiture of the Tory spy, who had counted so certainly on making
them atone for their treatment of him.
In fact, so elated were the lads that their words as well as gestures
were extravagant; perhaps half an hour had thus been spent before
either bethought himself that it was necessary they should push ahead
with all speed, for no rations had been served since the night
previous, and food was not to be obtained until they were among
friends once more.
Once the boys were well on the journey, and after the first excess of
joy had passed away, both realized their extreme weariness.
The previous day was spent in marching. No sleep had come during the
night, and much excitement had tended to increase their fatigue.
Now twenty miles must be traversed, without food, before they could
gain the needed rest, and it is not strange that when another hour
passed they found it difficult to continue the advance.
More than once Evan urged that a halt be made for two or three hours,
lest they should not be able to hold out until the end; but Nathan
steadily refused to listen to any suggestions, and they toiled
painfully on, stumbling here or staggering there, hardly conscious of
their movements.
It was as if in a dream that they finally saw that band of Americans
who had repulsed the British forces a few hours previous, and then all
was a blank, for consciousness literally deserted them.
During the remainder of the day and all of the following night the
weary lads slept.
The sun was rising, and Colonel Clarke's men were making ready for a
change of camp, when Captain Dillard awakened the lads by shaking each
gently by the arm, as he cried in a cheery tone:
"Rise up, or sleep will wear your eyes out. Unless I am much mistaken
you are more in need of food just now than of additional slumber, and
it is time you were stirring."
The boys sprang to their feet refreshed by the long repose, and
ravenously hungry, but so eager were they to learn the particulars of
the combat which they had heard from the distance that neither
realized his need of food.
"You shall hear it all very shortly; but it will be on full stomachs,
for I am not minded to have you starve yet awhile, and it is Sarah's
right to tell the story."
"Then Mrs. Dillard _did_ get here in time?" Nathan cried.
"Ay, lads, else were we like to have been murdered while we slept. And
a brave ride it was; but I am not the one to tell it. Come over by the
fire, and after you have filled yourselves up I will put you in the
way to listen to all which I know you are eager to hear."
Half an hour later, after they had literally obeyed the injunction to
"fill themselves up," the boys and Captain Dillard were pressing on in
advance of the American force, to the dwelling where Mrs. Dillard had
sought shelter, and before noon they had arrived at their destination.
There was much to be told on both sides, and as the quickest method of
gaining the information he desired, Nathan first explained how they
had left the British camp, and gave all the details of their advance
from the time of parting with Mrs. Dillard on the mountain trail.
Then it was his turn to act the part of listener, and eagerly did he
and Evan drink in the vivid account of that night ride, and the combat
which ensued.
It seemed as if the colt recognized the uselessness of struggling
further against the determined woman who was bent on riding him, for
when the boys had let go their hold he darted forward straight as an
arrow over the trail, and at full speed.
There were many places where the narrow road ran along the side of the
mountain, when a single misstep would have thrown him headlong over
the cliffs, and yet no mountaineer's steed ever traveled with a surer
footing, and at so swift a pace.
Once only did he make any effort at throwing his rider. Then,
fortunately, it was in a valley where there were no trees, and Sarah
Dillard was sufficiently expert an equestrienne to baffle him.
During ten minutes or more the steed plunged and kicked, and then, as
if again becoming convinced that he must carry the life-saving
message, he darted onward, slackening not the pace until they were
arrived in the midst of the encampment.
The amazement of the patriots at seeing the hostess from whom they had
so lately parted at such an hour, can well be fancied, and it may also
be readily understood that, having accomplished the dangerous journey,
Sarah Dillard lost no time in making known the fateful news which she
brought.
One word was sufficient to these men who were inured to hardships of
every kind and accustomed to face danger in every form.
Within five minutes after Mrs. Dillard's arrival they were prepared to
give Major Ferguson's force a warm reception, and so sure were the
men in their ability to hold the encampment against the enemy, that a
squad of four was sent, as escort to the brave rider, a dozen miles or
more away where dwelt one in whose fidelity to the Cause there could
be no question.
The colt, so Captain Dillard said, had done his share in saving the
lives of an hundred men, and he should be called upon to perform no
meaner work so long as he might live, than that of bearing on his back
the woman who had literally taken her life in her hands when she set
out on that perilous ride.
As to the combat, the captain dismissed it with few words:
"We were ready for the redcoats when they came up, and had been for
two hours or more. When the horses were picketed our scouts brought us
word, and then it was only a question of figuring in our own minds how
long it would take them to creep up on us.
"We could see the Britishers as they surrounded the encampment; but
never a man raised his gun until they had their muskets at their
shoulders, and then we sent a volley among them that mowed down a full
half of those in the front rank. I thought at the moment that they
would retreat without so much as firing a shot, because of the
astonishment which must have come over them. Fancy, every redcoat
there felt certain in his own mind that we would be taken wholly by
surprise--that they had simply to fire into a crowd of sleeping men,
and it would have staggered the best of soldiers to have a shower of
bullets sent among them thus suddenly.
"They did give us a volley, however--perhaps half a dozen of them
during fifteen minutes that passed from the time we first opened fire
until the last musket was discharged, and then I can say truthfully
that fully half their number was left behind, for, as we figured it,
not more than two hundred came out, and we found dead and wounded
ninety-eight. As for ourselves, but one man was harmed by British
lead, and he got a bullet through his arm in such fashion that he will
not be off duty a single day."
"We have buried the dead, sent the disabled over the mountains where
they will be well cared for, and now stand prepared to meet Major
Ferguson's force again. But tell me what is the message which he
charged you to deliver to all the rebels within fifty miles?"
"We are to say to those who fight in the cause of freedom, that Major
Ferguson has come from Cornwallis' army unhampered by any orders other
than those to crush out the spirit of rebellion, and if you do not
desist from your armed resistance to the king's commands, and take
protection under his standard, he will march his army over the
mountains, hang your leaders, and lay waste the country with fire and
sword."
"The gentleman has considerable to say for himself, eh?" and Captain
Dillard indulged in a hearty laugh. "I wonder if Major Ferguson of the
Seventy-first regiment thinks the men hereabout are of such
milk-and-water natures that he can disperse them with a word. If I am
not mistaken he tried to lay waste Greene's Spring with fire and
sword, and got decidedly the worst of the attempt. It may so chance
that he will fail the next time he tries the same game. However, it is
not for you to question his method of making war until after you have
paid the price of your release. Get you gone as soon as may be, lads,
and we will utilize the gallant major's paroled prisoners to the
calling together of our men, at the same time his threatening words
are repeated. You shall be supplied with horses, and I will write down
a list of those 'rebels' holding command nearabout, so that each and
every one of them may be visited. Having repeated the threat, you
shall then say that Colonel Clarke has heard the message, and gone on
to Watuga, where he awaits the coming of those who resist the king's
commands. In other words, lads, we will make Watuga a rendezvous, and
the time for all to be there is not later than the 25th of September."
"Now get you gone, for there be many miles of traveling, and many days
to be spent ere your mission is ended and you have the right to call
yourselves free lads once more. Ride with all speed, and waste not an
hour, for the time has come when General Cornwallis shall be taught a
lesson, or I am mistaken in my neighbors."
Thus it was that Nathan and Evan set off on their long and devious
journey with no more of a halt than was necessary to relate their
story and hear that which Captain and Mrs. Dillard had to tell.
To repeat in detail all their wanderings would form dry reading,
therefore let us simply recount what was done from that day until the
twenty-fifth of September, when, as Captain Dillard had arranged, the
patriots assembled at Watuga.
They repeated Major Ferguson's message to Colonel William Campbell of
Washington County, in Virginia, and he promised to join the patriots
with four hundred men.
They had speech with Nathan's uncle, Colonel Isaac Shelby, who agreed
to bring two hundred and forty from Sullivan County in North Carolina.
Lieutenant-Colonel John Sevier, who received them most hospitably,
declared that he, with two hundred and forty of his neighbors from
Washington County, in North Carolina, would start at once for Watuga.
Colonel Charles McDowells, Evan's father, returned answer that he,
with an hundred and sixty from the counties of Burke and Rutherford,
would join the force, and Colonel Cleaveland answered for three
hundred and fifty from the counties of Wilkes and Surry; but agreed to
join force with the other Americans somewhere on the Catawba River.
Colonel James Williams urged that the force march to the Cowpens, on
Broad River in South Carolina, where he would add four hundred trained
soldiers to the command.
It was not until the morning of the 25th of September that Nathan and
Evan completed their work of repeating Major Ferguson's message and
summoning the mountain men to the rendezvous.
Then they were free, so far as the British officer could have any
claim upon them, and believed themselves entitled to a place in the
ranks by virtue of what they had done for the cause.
Many miles had been traversed, some on horseback, many in boats, and
not a few afoot. They were received everywhere with the utmost
hospitality, and perhaps never were two lads shown more respect than
they, because of the fact that they were doing, and had done, the work
of men, although only boys.
They were justly proud on the day of their arrival at Watuga, to be
received by these sturdy patriots like equals, and to be besieged on
every side with questions as to the general feeling among the people
of the districts which they had visited.
Evan's father gave them a place in his troop, and when some of the men
insisted that the boys should be allowed to play the part of officers
because of the particular and difficult work they had performed,
Colonel McDowells replied:
"If it is the purpose of the lads to serve their country, they can
best do so with muskets in their hands, but if they simply desire to
parade themselves before the people in fine feathers, the Carolinas is
no place for them. They had better go where they can have better fare
and more opportunity for admiration."
It troubled the boys but little that, after having been intrusted with
important business, they were to have no more responsible part than
that of private soldiers, for they knew full well that neither was
fitted for a command, and it sufficed that the privilege was given
them to serve the cause in howsoever humble capacity.
They were in the ranks on that 26th day of September when the little
force went out from Watuga down the Catawba River, and by the 5th of
October, when the patriots had arrived at the Cowpens where Colonel
Williams kept his word by marching up with twenty men more than he had
promised, it was said among the men as well as the officers that there
were no more promising soldiers in the force than these two lads whose
first experience in military matters had been gained as prisoners.
During this time they made diligent inquiries of all who might have
such information concerning Ephraim Sowers, but without learning
anything whatsoever.
"Don't let that fret you, lads," Captain Dillard said when they went
into camp at the Cowpens, and learned from the scouts that Major
Ferguson's force was encamped not more than thirty miles distant near
the Cherokee Ford of Broad River. "Don't let that fret you. Unless I
am very much mistaken, we shall not remain here many hours, for there
is a council of war being held, and from what I know of our commanding
officers, we shall give the gallant major all the hot work he can
desire. Then, if your Tory spy be not weak-kneed, you will have an
opportunity of coming face to face with him, for once we have met this
gentleman who proposes to lay waste our country with fire and sword,
we shall not leave him until after having made the acquaintance of a
goodly number of his men."
"But Ephraim Sowers is not a soldier," Evan said with a laugh, "and I
am of the opinion that he is weak-kneed."
"Even then the chances are he yet remains with Ferguson's troop, for
hark you, lad, the Tories have joined the major in such numbers that
hereabouts in the Carolinas are none left at their homes. The spy must
stick to his red-coated friends whom he served so well, or have a
mighty lonesome time of it by himself. If I had played his part, doing
all in my power to bring about the death of those who had befriended
me, I should make it my business to keep ever within sight of a red
uniform, lest some of those whose death I had sought to compass might
fall upon me. You shall see Ephraim Sowers and have a long talk with
him."
"You speak, Captain, as if there could be no question of the result,
once we are come up with the force."
"Neither is there, lad. We of the Carolinas have each a home to
protect, and so many wrongs to avenge that there can be no backward
move on our part once the fight is opened."
"How many men think you Major Ferguson can muster?"
"In regulars and Tories from fourteen to fifteen hundred."
"And our own forces?"
"Not far from seventeen hundred."
"Then we are the stronger?"
"Not so, Nathan, my boy. Did we number two thousand the force would
hardly be equal, because of disparity of weapons. The king's troops
are well equipped, and they bring with them muskets and ammunition in
plenty for the Tories who join them. We have only such as each man can
provide, and some of us so poorly armed that half a dozen rounds would
see the powder-horns and shot pouches emptied. But we are fighting
for the cause, and they for the King. In that you have the whole
story, and therefore this I say: When we come face to face with Major
Ferguson, as I believe we shall within twenty-four hours, we will stay
with him so long that you will have ample time in which to seek out
this spy who would have compassed the death of us at Greene's Spring."