A HOT CHASE.
The two lads were well content with the assurance given by Colonel
McDowells, even though each would have been forced to admit, in event
of close questioning, that, while eager to bear a full share of all
the dangers, the prospect of taking part in a pitched battle brought
with it a certain degree of nervous apprehension.
It was known because of what Ephraim Sowers had told, and could have
been well understood even though the Tory lad had not chosen to
purchase safety by revealing the secrets of those whom he claimed as
friends, that Major Ferguson's force was intrenched after such fashion
as was possible, and, in addition, the position was rendered yet
stronger by being on the mountain, up which the "rebels" must climb in
order to make an attack.
Another advantage which the Britishers had, was in point of weapons
and ammunition. They were thoroughly well equipped with the best
quality of arms, with powder and ball in abundance, while the friends
of liberty had but a scanty supply of either.
Despite such facts, however, not a man among those who had sworn to
relieve the colonies from the yoke of the oppressor counted the odds.
The only thought was that at last the Britishers were where a battle
could not be avoided, and the mountain men were determined that the
conflict should result in a victory for the "rebels."
The troop did not begin the march as soon as Colonel McDowells had
proposed, however.
Although the colonists were few in numbers and with scanty outfit,
there was much to be done by way of preparation for the unequal
struggle, and when an hour had elapsed they were yet in camp, but
nearly ready to set out.
During such time Nathan and Evan had nothing to do save watch the
movements of those around them, without being able to take any part in
the work, and although both were in need of repose, it was impossible
to rest at a time when they were laboring under the mental excitement
caused by the knowledge of what was before them.
Now and then one or another of the men would question the lads
regarding their reconnoissance of Major Ferguson's camp, when Ephraim
Sowers was captured, and in the course of such conversations the two
boys soon learned where their prisoner had been taken.
One of the squad which had been charged with conveying the young Tory
beyond reach of those who would have hanged him without loss of time,
returned to camp in order to accompany his comrades on the march which
it was believed would be ended by a battle, and displayed no little
curiosity as to how Ephraim had been captured.
"To hear the young villain talk, one would think a dozen men couldn't
overpower him. He declared that his reluctance to shed the blood of
former playmates saved you lads from death."
"It would seem that he has recovered somewhat from his fears," Nathan
replied with a hearty laugh. "When I last saw him he was playing the
part of coward to perfection."
"He insists that you took advantage of his former friendship, and
while calling for assistance, basely fell upon him when he was giving
the aid you begged for."
To Nathan there was something extremely comical in such a story as
told by Ephraim Sowers, who never displayed the slightest semblance
of courage save when there was no possible chance he could come to any
harm.
Evan's anger was aroused, however, and without delay he not only
explained how they had captured the Tory, but gave additional details
concerning the incident at Captain Dillard's house, when Ephraim
suddenly found the tables turned upon him.
"He could not have attempted to do a more deadly wrong than when he
gave information which he fully believed would result in the death or
capture of Colonel Clark's force at Greene's Springs," Evan said in
conclusion, "and while Nathan and I have given our word that he shall
be held safe from personal harm, I hope careful watch will be kept
upon him. Insignificant though the lad is, he may be able to do us
very much injury."
"Joseph Abbott has been detailed to guard him," the trooper said
thoughtfully, "and perhaps a more steady man should have been
assigned to the work. Abbott means well; but is inclined to be
careless, although it's certain he understands how necessary it is the
Tory be held safely this night."
"Yes, and for many a long day to come," Nathan added gravely. "Until
the Britishers have been driven from the Carolinas, Ephraim must be
held close prisoner, because it is in his power to give them all
needful information as to our probable movements. There can be no
question but that his father aids in the work, and while it is not
generally understood that such is the case, much harm can be done."
The trooper felt confident that Abbott could be relied upon for
twenty-four hours at least, because he would remain at his own home,
and surely there he should be able to make certain the prisoner did
not escape.
Then the conversation turned upon the probable battle, and this was of
such vital interest to the boys that, for the moment, they almost
forgot such a lad as Ephraim Sowers ever had an existence.
It was fated, however, that they were to drop him from their thoughts
for some time to come, and soon there was more reason than ever before
to fear his power of working mischief.
Word had been passed for the horses to be saddled preparatory to
beginning the march toward King's Mountain, and Nathan and Evan were
attending to the steeds which had been provided for them, when a
sudden commotion on the outskirts of the encampment caused every
member of the troop to look about him in alarm.
The sound of voices in loud, angry conversation could be heard; but it
was not possible for the lads to distinguish any words save these:
"He should have been hanged! It was little less than a crime to allow
him to live!"
"Of whom are they speaking?" Evan asked in surprise.
"It can be none other than Ephraim, and yet I had supposed he would be
forgotten, until after the battle."
"The men must have learned more of his doings, for certain it is that
no one has given him a thought during the last half-hour."
A moment later it became evident that whatever had caused this last
outburst against the Tory spy was of considerable importance, for the
cries of anger were redoubled as a full third of the little army
ceased their work of preparation to gather around the officers'
quarters.
"Something has gone wrong!" Nathan exclaimed as the confusion
increased. "When the command has been given for us to saddle, the men
would not spend valuable time crying out against such as Ephraim
Sowers. Can it be possible he has escaped?"
"That is an idle proposition, for Joseph Abbott could not have been so
careless," Evan replied; but there was a sudden tremor of his voice
which told that he was not as confident as the words implied.
The boys no longer gave any heed to their steed; but pressed on toward
the throng which was surging around the officers' quarters, until it
was possible to hear yet more of that which the excited men said.
"Abbott was the last man in the Carolinas who should have been trusted
with such a duty!"
"If we had hanged the villain it would not now be possible for him to
do us so much mischief!"
"Now that the Britishers are certain to be warned of our movements,
there is little hope of taking them by surprise!"
These and similar remarks gave the eager, perturbed boys a fair idea
of what had occurred; but yet Nathan would not credit that which
appeared to be a fact until having more definite assurance that the
young Tory was in a condition to work wrong to the patriots of the
Carolinas.
"What has happened?" he asked of a man who was insisting that the
officers were guilty of a great crime when they prevented the men from
hanging the prisoner.
"Happened?" the man repeated angrily. "That young Tory whose neck
should have been stretched an hour ago, has given Joseph Abbott the
slip, an' is most likely on his way to King's Mountain in order to
inform Major Ferguson of what we would have done this night!"
"Ephraim escaped?" Evan repeated in dismay, and immediately there came
to him the knowledge of all it might be possible for the Tories to
effect.
It was certain that once Major Ferguson had been warned of the
proposed attack, it would be so guarded against that a heavy loss of
life on the part of the Americans must inevitably be the result, and
prudence would dictate that the movement be abandoned.
Insignificant though Ephraim Sowers was, he now had it in his power to
save the king's troops from severe loss, and could, most likely,
thwart the patriots at the very moment when they might strike such a
blow as would free the Carolinas from the invaders.
The escape of the Tory was the most disastrous happening that could
have been brought about by the enemies of the colonies, and the
knowledge that it was possible only by sheer carelessness on the part
of a true friend to the Cause, served to aggravate the offense which
had been committed.
Here and there a man swore to hang Joseph Abbott if he dared to show
himself in this section of the country again, and the more hot-headed
demanded that Colonel Campbell and Colonel McDowells should suffer in
some way because of having interposed to save the prisoner's life
when there were troopers standing by ready to execute him.
During ten minutes or more the tumult was great; all discipline had
been lost sight of, and there seemed every danger much mischief would
be done by those justly angry men who believed themselves thus
prevented from breaking the rule of the king in the Carolinas at the
very moment when it might have been successfully accomplished.
During this time Nathan and Evan had been forcing their way toward
that point where Colonel McDowells and Colonel Campbell were facing
the angry soldiers, believing for the moment that an attack was about
to be made upon them, and then it was Evan's father spoke for the
first time since the lads had come within earshot.
"I am ashamed that men of the Carolinas will thus cry out for the
death of a boy, how ever much injury he may have done, or can yet do
us. We war against the representatives of the king, not with
children."
"It was he who would have compassed our death!" one of Colonel Clark's
men shouted vindictively.
"Very true, and it is right that he be deprived of his liberty; but
more than that would have been a stain upon your honor such as could
never be rubbed out."
"If he had been held prisoner we should have remained silent," another
soldier cried. "Now he is turned lose to carry Major Ferguson such
information as will put to naught all our efforts."
"Is Abbott here to say how the lad escaped?" Colonel Campbell asked.
"His wife came with the news that her husband has gone on the trail of
the viper."
"Then who shall say that such mischief has been done?" Colonel
McDowells cried, his voice taking on a more hopeful ring. "To hear
such bewailing as you men are indulging in, one would say there is no
remedy left us. It is probably true the Tory has escaped; but he
cannot have very much of a start, since no more than three hours are
passed since he was led from this camp. There are twenty-eight miles
between us and King's Mountain. We are ready to set out at once. Will
you admit that such horses as are owned by you may not cover that
distance before a boy can do so on foot? Shame upon you for thus
showing the white feather when there is a possibility of repairing the
mischief!"
Some of the throng stepped back a few paces as if regretting that they
had been so loud spoken; but the greater number remained in front of
the two officers in a defiant and angry attitude.
"Where is Evan McDowells?" the colonel cried, raising his voice that
the question might be heard throughout the encampment, and he had no
sooner spoken than Evan and Nathan forced their way through the crowd
until standing directly before the officer, who added to the
insubordinate men, "My son and Nathan Shelby--the same lads who
captured the Tory--shall go out in search of him. Half a dozen more
will be sent in as many different directions, and instead of standing
here indulging in vain words, we may repair the mischief. This,
however, I demand, and will consider him my personal enemy who
disobeys what is a positive command: When the spy is retaken, see to
it, each and every one, that his life be held sacred! These boys gave
him an assurance, in return for certain information, that he should
not come to harm, and I will never allow such pledge to be broken."
"We shall only be safe when he is dead!" a trooper cried in a surly
tone.
"And you are willing, Angus McLeod, to admit that you are afraid of a
boy!"
"Ay, Colonel McDowells, of such a boy as is that young Tory. While he
lives we know full well all our doings will be carried to the king's
officers."
"How may that be now that we have come to know him for what he is? A
month ago it was different, because you allowed him in and around your
encampment; but to-day, with full knowledge of his character, how can
he do you harm? When he is taken, as I feel certain he must be within
a short time, turn him over to me; I will be personally responsible
that he no longer has the power to work us an injury."
Then turning from the discontented men as if he had done with them,
the colonel said to Evan and Nathan:
"Lads, now has come the time when you may perform such a service for
the Carolinas as, perhaps, is not within the power of any other. I do
not hold that you are more skillful or keen on the trail than your
companions; but there is in my mind the belief that you will succeed
where older searchers may fail. Set out immediately; spare not your
horses, nor yourselves, until Ephraim Sowers is once more your
prisoner."
"But in event of our being so fortunate as to come upon him, sir, we
shall be deprived of taking part in the battle," Evan said mournfully,
and his father replied quickly, but in a whisper:
"There will be no battle if he escapes to carry information to Major
Ferguson."
"There will be in case we shall make him prisoner within a few hours."
"In that event you may leave him with Abbott, whom, I dare venture to
say, will not give way to carelessness again, or in the custody of any
whom you know to be true. We shall ride the direct trail to King's
Mountain, and you should be able to overtake us if the work be
performed quickly."
There was no thought in the mind of either lad that such an order as
the colonel had given could be slighted, and while it would have
grieved them to the heart had an engagement come off while they were
absent from the troop, neither hesitated.
As they turned to leave, Colonel Campbell gave orders to several of
the men that they ride at once in pursuit of the late prisoner, and
Nathan whispered to his comrade while they walked as quickly as the
throng would permit toward where their horses had been left:
"I am not positive, Evan, how we might carry ourselves in the midst of
a battle. While neither of us would admit to being cowardly, it is
possible we showed a certain amount of fear when brought face to face
with the king's troops. Now we have one more opportunity of proving
ourselves equal to the part of men, without chance of displaying the
white feather."
"I fail to understand the meaning of so many words," Evan replied
petulantly. "To me the only thing certain is, that we may not follow
where much honor is to be won."
"If it should so chance that we come upon Ephraim Sowers, when others
failed of finding him, we will gain more credit than if we rode in the
front ranks of those whom I hope will charge Major Ferguson's force
before to-morrow night. Let us give over repining at what cannot be
changed, and set ourselves about the task of running that miserable
Tory down!"
Evan was not disposed to look at the matter in such a light, although
never for a moment did he dream of disobeying his father's commands.
To him this setting off on a blind search for the young spy was simply
shutting themselves out from all chance of riding with the men of the
Carolinas when they charged the enemy, and it seemed for the moment as
if no greater misfortune could befall them.
However, he made no protest against whatever his comrade suggested,
although confident that with a start in his favor of even one hour, it
would be impossible for them to overtake Ephraim Sowers, more
particularly since half a dozen men were to join in the hunt, and
without loss of time the two lads made ready for the search.
There was no thought of making provisions for any lengthy absence; the
work, to be of any avail, must be done before midnight, and if at that
time the Tory was yet at liberty, then might the searchers return to
their comrades, for it would be good proof Ephraim had succeeded in
eluding them so far as to be able to give Major Ferguson information
of what was afoot.
Therefore the only care was to make certain their supply of ammunition
would be sufficient for a spirited attack or resistance, after which
they rode through the encampment, and half a mile beyond were halted
by Mrs. Abbott, who was returning slowly to her home.
"Are you young gentlemen setting out in search of the Tory?" she asked
when the two lads halted in response to her signal.
"We are, and many others will ride on the same errand."
"The soldiers were so angry with Joseph that I had no opportunity to
repeat all the message he sent. It was not through the fault of my
husband that the prisoner escaped; he was left bound by the hands as
when brought to our house, while we made ready a room in which he
could be safely kept, and by some means managed to free himself."
"We have no time for such unimportant particulars," Nathan
interrupted. "The main fact is that he is free, and we are among those
charged with the search for him."
"Joseph set out on the same errand within five minutes after his
escape was discovered, and he bade me say to whosoever might come,
that the trail led over the hills to the westward. You will have no
difficulty in following it, and should come up with my husband before
riding very far."
"We thank you for the information, and would ride ahead if you are
able to direct us to your home," Nathan replied.
Mrs. Abbott, who appeared to be in deepest distress because the
prisoner intrusted to her husband's keeping had made his escape, gave
the boys ample directions for finding the house and as the two rode
rapidly forward Nathan said in a hopeful tone:
"There is yet a chance, Evan, that we shall succeed where the others
failed, thanks to our having met Abbott's wife. If the trail is
well-defined, we shall be able to ride it down, capture the spy, and
return to the encampment before our people have set out.
"That is what we should do, but whether we can or not is quite
another matter," Evan replied gloomily. "It is a pity we promised the
Tory our protection, otherwise he would have been beyond all power for
harm long ere this."
"And would you like to remember that we captured a lad who was once
our friend, for others to hang in cold blood?"
"Almost anything would be better than that we were shut out from
following those with whom we should ride this night."
"I am counting that we will yet bear them company," Nathan replied
cheerily. "Even a Tory cannot make his way across the country without
leaving a trail, and now that we know where it may be taken up, the
rest ought to be easy."
"Unless he has suddenly lost his senses, we cannot follow him on
horseback. If I was trying to escape from mounted men, it would not be
difficult to strike such a course as should be impossible for them to
follow."
"That he did not do so at the start is positive, else Abbott would
never have sent such word by his wife," Nathan replied, heeding not
the petulance of his comrade. "If we hold to it that Ephraim Sowers
has made his escape, then is he the same as free, but I shall continue
to claim we have fair chance of overtaking him, until we know beyond a
peradventure that he cannot be found. Every second is of value to us
now, and we'll waste no more time in idle talk."
With this remark, which Evan might well have construed as a rebuke,
Nathan struck his horse sharply with the spurs, and the two quickly
left Mrs. Abbott far in the rear.