My first care was for my boy Sam, and after he had been properly cared
for, he was carried aboard the small boat and made comfortable.
While we were changing our clothes, Will and I had a chance to discuss
matters privately and decide what had best be done.
Knowing my sister's fondness for Berkley Harrison, I conceived the idea
very readily that she had consented to go with him and marry him at the
first convenient opportunity. Will declared that he would soon hear this
consent expressed from her own lips, and that he would feel more
relieved after hearing it. God alone knows what the poor fellow's
thoughts were, and what hope still lingered within his breast. As for
myself, my duty appeared now to lay first with my poor mother--and Miss
Carter. My sister was off with the man she apparently loved, and nothing
worse could happen to her than what had already occurred. I believed
Harrison to be a gentleman and honorable in his dealings, although I did
not agree with him in his political ideas and views.
Barron decided, positively, to accompany me and openly hinted that
Williamsburg was the place he hoped to reach as soon as he helped me
straighten out matters at the Hall.
"I will join you there also, as soon as I find my services are not
needed at Norfolk," said Will.
"Then we will leave you here with Mr. Johnson," I said. "As soon as he
gets tired of waiting for Barron and myself, you can go with him and
join Dunmore, and meet us later with the forces under Colonel Henry."
While we were discussing our affairs, we were changing our shooting
clothes for more suitable garments, and we were quite alone.
I took two silver mounted, Paris made pistols from a case, and concealed
them carefully by sticking them in my belt under my outer coat. I may
say here that these weapons were remarkable for their fine finish, and
were the same I had used on one or two well known occasions before. They
were the ones from which I had fired six bullets in succession, one day,
upon the edge of a knife blade set twenty paces distant, and they could
be relied upon. They had the advantage over most, for they exploded
almost instantly from the flash of the flint.
After seeing to these, Barron and I then buckled on our swords; mine a
fragile rapier which had formerly been part of the dress of a man of
fashion, and his a more serviceable weapon, but still very light for
field use.
"You will certainly allow me the privilege of escorting my own mother,"
I said to the Lieutenant, when we had finished our preparations and had
come down stairs.
"Where is she?" he asked.
"At Pendleton's Inn, a few miles back in the country," I answered. "But,
as I understand we are not exactly prisoners, you will have no objection
to my going to her, and telling her of the arrival of his excellency,
the Governor."
"Not only that, but you may take two men with you. There may be some of
Mr. Henry's bush-fighters who might not be to your way of thinking, and
who might dispute the way with you. Carry your sword if you wish. Is
Captain Barron to accompany you? He may do so if you wish it, for, of
course, I have your word that you will not stay any longer than
necessary or go anywhere my men cannot go also without making trouble."
Saying this he beckoned two stout soldiers aside and gave them some
orders I did not quite hear.
I said nothing in reply to his remark about not staying, or leading his
men into hostilities, for I wished to gain time, and I led the way
quickly to the stables where saddles and bridles were procured.
The horses were at large, but in sight, grazing quietly in the pasture
to the eastward of the quarters. My two field hands soon had four of
them ready. Giving a nod to Barron, I leaped into the saddle, and he
instantly followed my example. The soldiers started to mount in a more
leisurely manner.
"Mr. Johnson," I said, turning quickly, "I have not given my word as to
not leaving you and your men. Mark that, sir. Therefore I bid you
farewell."
The next instant I was loping gracefully down the carriage drive with
that peculiar ease which you may have, perhaps, noticed as belonging to
a Virginia country gentleman.
Barron's knee was rubbing against mine with each rise and fall, and the
old soldier was smiling happily at the scenery lit up by the last rays
of the setting sun.
I half expected to hear a warning bullet, and turned my head with my
chin to my shoulder to see what was taking place behind.
Mr. Johnson waved his sword nervously and shouted out something I could
not understand, and then the two soldiers came galloping after us.
"We better avoid their company, for they are rough looking men," said
Barron. "A soldier is good enough when properly commanded, but most
unpleasant when in command. As for me, I intend to command some as soon
as I can join the Major and the rest at Williamsburg."
"We must shake clear of these men before we get to the Inn," I said. "It
would never do to have a dispute there before the ladies, although the
advantage would lie with us. Suppose we slack up at the turn a mile
above here and tell these fellows to go back. Perhaps Will will find
himself kept pretty close when Dunmore knows we are not exactly in
sympathy with the king."
"He will have tact enough to keep out of limbo, but I reckon Dunmore
will try to make him take up arms against us," said Barron. "You spoke
of a bend in the road; is that it ahead there?"
"Yes, but suppose these fools show fight?" I asked.
"That little side ornament of yours will do little good in that case,
but I reckon I can hold them both in play. There was a time, if I
remember rightly, when I knew something about the use of a sword--even a
light one like this I have with me. When Braddock was down in the swamps
I was a fair hand at pinning frogs. I reckon there isn't anything much
better to eat than the reptile's legs, but I tired of them after the
boys got me to eat the half raw legs of a skunk, by mistake, in the way
of a joke. Most uncommon joke it was, but I certainly am right when I
say I can taste those legs yet. Whoa! Steady, boys?" And we slowed our
horses down to a walk.
The soldiers came galloping up, and the one who appeared to be a
corporal, by the cheverons on the sleeves of his tunic, drew alongside
of me and saluted.
"Sorry, sir, but orders are to accompany you to your party at the Inn
and bring whatever luggage you wish to send back with me," said he.
"But I'm not coming back to the Hall for some time," I answered. "Do
you wish to go with me to the militia camp? It's doubtful if they would
receive you well, or allow you to return to the frigate after seeing
your uniform."
"We only go three miles," said the man, "and if your party is not with
us after traveling that distance, we will postpone meeting them this
evening and shall return together."
"Shall is a big word," said Barron, laughing. "Don't you know any better
than to use it to a gentleman? I reckon your discipline or early family
training has been neglected."
"Our discipline aboard the _Fowey_ is fair," answered the soldier,
coolly, "and as for my family training, I don't think such things count
for much. Family is nothing to me, for the only ones I ever knew of mine
were cowardly and bad."
"Does that apply to your mother and father?" asked Barron, much amused.
"Most certainly. My mother was a woman on the streets, and my father was
probably some chance acquaintance of a day or two, though I never heard
his name, or have I ever met him; but if you think my ancestry makes me
an inferior being to your self, I shall take pleasure in proving that a
man's worth depends entirely on the education or training he gives
himself, mentally or physically."
"You speak with great precision," laughed Barron, "and I am sorry not
to have time to discuss your theory to a better advantage. That tall
pine tree ahead, with the eagle's nest in its top, is a trifle over
three miles from Judkins' Hall, so I regret to have to bid you good
evening."
"If that really be so we shall all turn about here and go back to the
boat. We shall proceed no further in this direction. I suppose you know
I am master of arms on the frigate and quite capable of enforcing my
words with this." And he whipped out a long shining sword and his silent
mate did likewise.
"Of course you gentlemen will not resort to anything so vulgar and
absurd as resistance. Therefore turn your horses and we may discuss
other matters."
My temper had been steadily rising for some minutes past, and now it
burst beyond my control.
I snatched out my rapier and dug my heels into my horse's ribs. The
animal sprang forward twenty paces. Then I drew up and wheeled suddenly,
and then bore down on that Corporal with all speed, my sword point aimed
at his breast.
There was a crash as the animals and weapons met, and the next thing I
knew I was lying on my back by the roadside, grasping the hilt of my
puny, broken sword tightly in my right hand.
Barron sat quietly in his saddle and laughed immoderately at me, while
the soldier seized my horse by the bridle and bade me remount.
I sat up in the roadway a little dazed, but, collecting myself, I felt
under my coat to see if my pistols were all right. They were there, so I
arose, and, taking my horse from the Corporal, climbed painfully back
into the saddle again. Barron then drew his weapon and slowly placed
himself on guard.
"You may or may not be right in your theory, Mr. Soldier," said he, "but
we are not to accompany you back to Dunmore. Mr. Judkins is a very young
and inexperienced swordsman compared to yourself, but his mishap was due
more to the worthlessness of his weapon than lack of skill."
"Tut! tut! I shall be forced to secure both of you with cords, if this
nonsense proceeds any further," said the Corporal. "Put up your sword
and waste no more time. Jim!" he called to his mate, "pass a line about
Mr. Judkin's wrists, lest he continue this nonsense past supper time."
The soldier approached and bade me hold forth my hands that he might
secure them with a line he produced from under his belt. I saw there was
no use of putting off the crisis any longer, so I held out one of
them--my right--and in it was gripped the butt of the straightest
shooting pistol on the Virginia peninsula.
"Give me your sword hilt," I said, as I raised the barrel level with his
eyes. But the fool had seen me unhorsed so grossly, that he laughed in
my face, and made a pass at my weapon with his blade. I held fire while
his point cut my cheek open, and I ordered him back, hoping I could
spare his life. But he cursed me and pressed on, aiming a blow at my
head to knock me from my horse, so I could wait no longer. Then, to save
my life, I pulled down the flint. The next instant he lay dead in the
road with a bullet hole in the center of his forehead.
It was all done so quickly that the Corporal and Barron sat looking on,
hardly realizing what had happened. This gave me the moment I needed, so
I pulled out my left hand weapon.
"Surrender your sword, sir," I cried to the Corporal, for the
excitement of the fight was hot within me and my patience was at an end.
"Not to such a swordsman as you; it would disgrace me," replied the
Corporal contemptuously, and he began the fight by making a pass at
Barron, which the old Captain parried. Round and round and past each
other went the horses, guided by trained hands, and the sword blades
slipped with a ringing sound from lunge to parry. So fast did they fight
that I found myself sitting there quietly in my saddle looking on, never
thinking for an instant that one snap shot from my pistol would put an
end to the affair. It was rapidly growing dark, but at that distance I
could have broken the soldier's sword blade while it was in play, had I
so wished.
The man was certainly a master of fence and I soon saw that Barron had
no chance whatever with him. Still I never thought to fire upon a man
engaged with another in a fair fight. The cut in my cheek bled freely,
but I felt no pain or dizziness and was cool enough to think calmly.
Once the thought came to me to get the dead man's sword and take part in
the unequal affray, but I put it aside and made up my mind to shoot only
at the last minute to save Barron's life. Suddenly a new idea flashed
through my head and I instantly raised the pistol. The corporal's horse
turned his nose in my direction and I marked the white blaze between
his eyes.
"Crack!" And down both horse and rider went, just as Barron whirled a
wicked cut at the soldier's head. The old Captain's weapon went wide and
the Corporal jumped to his feet as lightly as a cat and was on guard
again before Barron fully realized what had happened.
"Come!" I cried. "Let him go!" And I galloped away down the road before
I finished speaking. Barron wheeled his horse to follow just as the
soldier started for him. In an instant the animals were together,
running neck and neck, with that Corporal within six feet of Barron's
saddle, running as I had never seen a man run before.
Away we went, and for a second or two I was afraid Barron would be run
through the back, but the pace proved a trifle too strong for our enemy.
Seeing this, the rascal made a vicious cut at Barron's mount and almost
hamstrung him, and then he dropped back while the poor animal hobbled
ahead desperately for several minutes, and finally brought up dead lame.
"That man will certainly prove he is equal to both of us," said Barron,
"and put at variance all laws of heredity, if we don't do something to
stop him."
"It's a pity I didn't shoot him, for that was my last shot," I said.
"Here he comes, and unless you can hold him in check until I get a
charge into this pistol, we will indeed see Dunmore or the devil
to-night."
As I spoke the figure of the Corporal showed through the gathering
darkness, coming along the edge of the road at a smart walk with his
long sword in front of him.
"You ride on ahead and let me settle with him," said Barron, quietly.
"It is uncommon shameful to have to run from this vermin," I said, "but
I had him at my mercy once and let him go."
"So had he you, my boy," laughed Barron.
It did seem hard to have to get away from this creature, the
acknowledged offspring of a prostitute, but it was apparently certain
death to face him. I strove to get a charge into one of my pistols, but
by the time I had the powder in the barrel he was up with us. He saw
what I was about and instantly started for me. And then, yes, I shall
have to confess it, then I put spurs to my mount and went down that dark
road as though thirty devils were at my heels. The corporal's long sword
could not reach me, so he soon gave up the chase and turned his
attention to Barron.
In another minute my pistol was loaded and I was riding back again as
fast as I could.
Barron had dismounted and they had just begun a passage as I rode up.
I was almost beside myself with rage and I rode close to the soldier to
be certain of my aim. I meant to end matters and would run no risk at
night, so I shot quick and sure for the centre of the man's body and had
the satisfaction of seeing him double up and drop in the roadway.
Barron stooped over him and picked up his long straight sword. He looked
at it for a moment and then passed it to me. It was a very heavy weapon
and as sharp as a razor.
"Come," said Barron, "let us carry him into the bushes and go ahead."
The form of the soldier moved slightly as he spoke.
"I thought you killed him," he continued, and he sprang forward with his
sword drawn back for a final thrust.
"Hold on!" I cried, "he's dead unless made of iron," and I jumped down
from my horse and bent over the fallen man just as he started to raise
himself.
"His belt! Quick!" I cried, and I grasped him around the body with all
my strength.
Before he fully realized what was taking place, we had his elbows lashed
fast behind him and I had a chance to find out why he not was dead.
My bullet had struck him just below the breast bone and over the heart,
but between him and it was the cross belt buckle-plate of his uniform.
The lead had flattened on this, but the stroke of the ball had sent him
to the ground unable to move for over a minute.
"You are a most disputatious man, Mr. Soldier," said Barron, good
humoredly, "and at one time you had nearly all the facts necessary to
establish the truthfulness of your side of the argument. I hope you are
now convinced of the value of good breeding, and will not, in the
future, thrust yourself into company uncongenial to your taste. However,
you shall now accompany us to the Inn, for I would hardly trust you to
return to Mr. Johnson alone to-night."
"Had I believed you were not too scared to return," said the soldier,
looking straight at me, "I would have followed you and killed you. Your
horse is a good runner."
"And for such an absurd mistake, I very nearly killed you," I answered.
"Had I known you were so bent upon mischief, I would have sent your
soul to the devil some twenty minutes ago. We will now go back and get
your mate's horse and you will walk between us the rest of the way."
In a few minutes we were back to where the dead soldier lay and Barron
was soon mounted upon his animal--which, by the way, was mine, as were
also the other three, and it caused me some little regret to lose two of
them on account of this hard headed soldier.
We carried the dead man to the roadside and laid him in bushes. Then we
proceeded quietly upon our way, and the moon rose like a huge ball of
silver to light up the dark road.