Dr. Percival had so far recovered as to be considered able to lie in a
hammock upon an upper veranda where he could look out upon the
beauties of the lawn, the bayou, and the fields and woods beyond. Dr.
Harold Travilla was still in attendance and seldom left him for any
great length of time, never alone, seldom with only the nurse--Maud,
one of Dick's sisters, or some other relative being always near at
hand, ready to wait upon him, chat pleasantly for his entertainment,
or remain silent as seemed best to suit his mood at the moment.
He was very patient, cheerful, and easily entertained, but did not
usually talk very much himself.
One day he and Harold were alone for a time. Both had been silent for
some moments when Dick, turning an affectionate look upon his cousin,
said in grateful tones, "How very good, kind, and attentive you have
been to me, Harold. I think that but for you and the other two
doctors--Cousins Arthur and Herbert--I should now be lying under the
sod; and I must acknowledge that you are a most excellent physician
and surgeon," he added with an appreciative smile and holding out his
hand.
Harold took the hand and, pressing it affectionately in both of his,
said with feeling, "Thank you, Dick. I consider your opinion worth a
great deal, and it is a joy to me that I have been permitted to aid in
helping on your recovery; but I am no more deserving of thanks than
the others. Indeed both Herbert and I felt it to be a very great help
to be able to call Cousin Arthur in to give his opinion, advice,
assistance; which he did freely and faithfully. He is an excellent
physician and surgeon--as I know you to be also: knowledge which
increases the delight of having been--by God's blessing upon our
efforts--able to pull you through, thus saving a most useful life."
"Thank you," replied Dick in a moved tone. "By God's help I shall try
to make it more useful in the future than it has been in the
past--should he see fit to restore me to health and vigor. I feel at
present as if I might never again be able to walk or ride."
"I think you need change of climate for a while," said Harold. "What
do you say to going North with us, if Captain Raymond should give you
and Maud an invitation to take passage in his yacht?"
"Why, that is a splendid idea, Harold!" exclaimed Dick, with such a
look of animation and pleasure as had not been seen upon his features
for many a day. "Should I get the invitation and Bob come back in time
to attend to our practice, I--I really shall, I think, be strongly
inclined to accept."
"I hope so indeed," Harold said with a smile, "and I haven't a doubt
that you will get it; for I know of no one who loves better than the
captain to do good or give pleasure. Ah! speak of angels! here he is
with his wife and yours," as just at that moment the three stepped out
from the open doorway upon the veranda.
"The three of us, Harold? Are we all angels to-day?" asked Violet,
with a smile, stepping forward and taking Dick's hand in hers.
"Quite as welcome as if you were, cousin," said Dick. "Ah, captain! it
was you we were speaking of at the moment of your arrival."
"Ah? a poor substitute for an angel, I fear," was the rejoinder in the
captain's usual pleasant tones. "But I hope it was the thought of
something which it may be in my power to do for you, Cousin Dick."
"Thanks, captain; you are always most kind," returned Dick, asking
Harold by a look to give the desired explanation, which he did at once
by repeating what had just passed between him and Dr. Percival in
regard to a Northern trip to be taken by the latter upon his partner's
return from his bridal trip.
Captain Raymond's countenance brightened as he listened and scarcely
waiting for the conclusion, "Why, certainly," he said. "It will be an
easy matter to make room for Cousins Dick and Maud, and a delight to
have them with us on the voyage and after we reach home until the warm
weather sends us all farther North for the summer."
"Oh, delightful!" cried Maud. "Oh, Dick, my dear, it will set you up
as nothing else could; and you may hope to come back in the fall as
well and strong as ever."
Dr. Percival looked inquiringly at Violet.
"Yes, cousin," she said with a smile, "I think we can make you very
comfortable; and that without inconveniencing anybody; especially as
Grandpa and Grandma Dinsmore decline to return in the _Dolphin_. They
go from here to Philadelphia by rail, to visit her relations there or
in that region. So you need not hesitate about it for a moment, and,"
glancing at her brother, "you will have your doctor along to see that
you are well taken care of and not allowed to expose yourself on deck
when you should be down in the saloon or lying in your berth."
"Yes," laughed Harold, "I shall do my best to keep my patient within
bounds and see that he does nothing to bring on a relapse and so do
discredit to my medical and surgical knowledge and skill."
"Which I should certainly be most sorry to do," smiled Dick. "If I do
not do credit to it all, it shall be no fault of mine. Never again,
cousin, can I for a moment forget that you stand at about the head of
your profession--or deserve to, certainly--as both physician and
surgeon. Captain, I accept your kind offer with most hearty thanks. I
feel already something like fifty per cent. better for the very
thought of the rest and pleasure of the voyage, the visit to my old
home and friends, and then a sojourn during the hot months in the
cooler regions of the North."
From that time his improvement was far more rapid than it had been,
and Maud was very happy over that and her preparations for the
contemplated trip, in which Grandma Elsie and Cousins Annis and Violet
gave her valuable assistance.
At length a letter was received telling that the newly-married pair
might be expected two days later. Chester brought the news to Viamede
shortly after breakfast and all heard it with pleasure, for they were
beginning to feel a strong drawing toward their northern homes.
"It is good news," said Grandma Elsie; "and now I want to carry out a
plan of which I have been thinking for some time."
"In regard to what?" asked her father.
"The reception to be given our bride and groom," she answered. "I want
it to be given here; all the connection now in these parts to be
invited, house and lawn to be decorated as they were for our large
party just after the wedding, and such a feast of fat things as we had
then to be provided."
"That is just like you, mother," said Captain Raymond; "always
thinking how to give pleasure and save trouble to other people."
"Ah, it seems to me that I am the one to do it in this instance," she
returned with a gratified smile, "having the most means, the most room
of any of the connection about here, abundance of excellent help as
regards all the work of preparation and the entertainment of the
guests; indeed everything that the occasion calls for. Dick and Maud
are in no case to do the entertaining, though I do certainly hope they
may both be able to attend--he, poor fellow, lying in a hammock on the
veranda or under the trees. If they like they may as well come fully
prepared for their journey and start with us from here."
"A most excellent and kind plan, cousin, as yours always are," said
Chester, giving Mrs. Travilla a pleased and grateful look. "I have no
doubt it will be accepted if Dr. Harold approves."
"As he surely should, since it is his mother's," remarked Violet in
her sprightly way. "Suppose you drive over at once, mamma, see the
three, and have the whole thing settled."
"A very good idea I think, Vi," was the smiling rejoinder. "Captain,
will you order a carriage brought round promptly, and you and Vi go
with me?--taking Elsie and Ned also, if they would care for a drive,"
she added, giving the little folks a kindly inquiring look.
Both joyfully accepted the invitation, if papa and mamma were willing;
Elsie adding:
"And if Cousin Dick is not well enough for us to go in, we can stay in
the carriage or out in the grounds, till you and papa and mamma are
ready to come back."
"Yes," said her father; "so there is no objection to your going."
"There will still be a vacant seat," said Grandma Elsie, "will you
not go with us also, Grace? I have heard Harold say driving was good
exercise for you."
"Oh, thank you, ma'am," said Grace. "I should like it very much, if
papa approves," glancing with an inquiring smile at him.
"Certainly. I am quite sure that my daughter Grace's company will add
to my enjoyment of the drive," was the captain's kindly response.
"And, Grandma Elsie, cannot you find some use for the stay-at-homes?"
asked Max. "Chester and myself for instance. Would there be any
objection to having 'Old Glory' set waving from the tree tops to-day?"
"None whatever," she returned with her sweet smile. "I, for one, never
weary of seeing it 'wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the
brave.'"
"I think anyone who does isn't worthy to be called an American!"
exclaimed Lucilla with warmth.
"Unless so unfortunate as to be only a South American," remarked Eva
with a smile. "You would not expect such an one to care for our Old
Glory."
"Oh, no, certainly not; it is no more to them than to the rest of the
world."
"But I dare say it is a good deal to some of the rest of the world;
judging from the way they flock to these shores," said Chester.
"Which I sincerely wish some of them wouldn't," said Lucilla; "the
ignorant, idle, and vicious. To read of the great numbers constantly
coming in often makes me tremble for our liberties."
"Honest and industrious ones we are always glad to welcome," said
Chester, "but the idle and vicious ought to be kept out. And as our
own native born boys must be twenty-one years old before being allowed
to vote, I think every foreigner should be required to wait here that
same length of time before receiving the right of suffrage."
"And I heartily agree with you in that," said Captain Raymond.
"But unfortunately we have too many selfish politicians--men who are
selfishly set upon their own advancement to wealth and power and care
little, if anything, for their country and their country's good--who,
to gain votes for themselves, have managed to have the right of
suffrage given those worthless, ignorant foreigners in order to get
into place and power through them."
"I haven't a particle of respect for such men," exclaimed Lucilla
hotly; "and not much, more for some others who are so engrossed in
the management of their own affairs--the making of money by such close
attention to business, that they can't, or won't look at all after the
interests of their country."
"Very true, my dear sister," said Max, with a roguish look and smile,
"so it is high time the ladies should be given the right of suffrage."
"The right! I think they have that already," she returned with rising
color and an indignant look, "but domineering men won't allow them to
use it."
"Why, daughter," laughed the captain, "I had no idea that you were
such a woman's rights woman. Surely it is not the result of my
training."
"No, indeed, papa; though you have tried to teach me to think for
myself," she returned with a blush and smile, adding, "I am not
wanting to vote--even if I were old enough, which I know I am not
yet--but I do want the laws made and administered by my own
countrymen, and that without any assistance from ignorant foreigners."
"Ah, and that is perhaps the result of my teachings. Are you not
afraid, Chester," turning to him, "that one of these days she may
prove too independent for you?"
"Ah, captain, if you are thinking of frightening me out of my bargain
let me assure you at once that it is perfectly useless," laughed
Chester in return.
"Ah, yes; I suppose so," sighed the captain in mock distress. "But I
must go now and order the carriage," he added, rising and hastening
away in the direction of the stables.
"And we to make our preparations for the drive and call at
Torriswood," said Grandma Elsie, addressing Violet and the younger
ones, expecting to be of the party. "Dick and Maud should have as
early a report of our plans and purposes as we can well give them."
To that Violet and Grace gave a hearty assent, the little ones echoing
it joyfully, and by the time the carriage could be brought to the door
they were all ready to enter it.
They found Maud and Dick full of pleasurable excitement, the former
already at work upon her packing. Grandma Elsie's plan and invitation
were highly appreciated by both and joyfully accepted.
The arrangements were soon made. If all went well with Dr. and Mrs.
Johnson they would reach Viamede the next afternoon, stay there in the
enjoyment of its hospitality until toward bedtime of that evening,
then come on to Torriswood, and a day or two later the others would
start upon their northward journey; all going together to New Orleans,
Grandpa and Grandma Dinsmore taking the cars there for Philadelphia,
and the rest starting for home by water--along the Gulf of Mexico,
around Florida, and up the Atlantic coast.
The whole plan met Dr. Harold's unqualified approval, while Dr.
Percival was so charmed with it that he insisted that the very
prospect of it all had nearly restored him to health and strength.
"Is that so, cousin?" exclaimed Violet with a pleased laugh, "why, you
will be another Samson by the time we reach our homes."
"Ah, if I can only recover the amount of strength I had before my
accident I shall be satisfied," said he, "and I shall know how to
appreciate it as I never did in the past."
All the necessary arrangements having now been made, the Viamede party
presently returned to their temporary home, which they found looking
very gay and patriotic with flags fluttering from tree tops, gables,
windows, and verandas; for the young folks left behind had been very
busy in their work of adornment. The result of their labors met with
warm approval from Grandma Elsie, the captain, and Violet. Grace and
Elsie Raymond, too, expressed themselves as highly pleased, while Ned
quite went into raptures at the sight of so fine a display of the
"Star-spangled Banner."
"Now, Cousin Ronald," he exclaimed, turning to Mr. Lilburn, "don't you
think it is the very prettiest flag that floats?"
"As bonny a one as ever I saw, laddie," responded the old gentleman
with a genial smile. "And don't you know that having adopted this as
my country, I now consider it as truly my ain banner as it is yours?"
"Oh, yes, sir, and I like you to," returned Ned with a pleased look.
"I like this to be your country as well as mine."
"It's a grand country, laddie," was the pleasant-toned response, "and
the native land of my bonny young wife and the dear little bairns of
my son Hugh; so I may well give it a share of my affection."
The weather continued fine, all the preparations were carried forward
successfully, and by noon of the next day the Percivals were ready to
enjoy a brief stay at Viamede and gaining strength, but carefully
attended and watched over by his cousin Harold, and Maud full of life
and gayety because of his improvement and the pleasant prospect before
them. It would be so delightful, she thought and said, to see her old
home and friends and acquaintances about there, Dick taking his ease
among them all for a time; and then to spend some weeks or months,
farther north, enjoying sea breezes and sea bathing.
All the cousins, older and younger, from Magnolia Hall and the
Parsonage were gathered there before the hour when the boat bringing
their bride and groom might be expected, and as it rounded to at the
wharf quite a little crowd could be seen waiting to receive them.
The Johnsons had not been apprised of the reception awaiting them and
were expecting to go on immediately to Torriswood, but the boat was
hailed and stopped by Chester, and at the same time seeing the festive
preparations and the assemblage of relatives, they understood what was
going on and expected, and stepped quickly ashore, where glad
greetings were exchanged; then all moved on to the house where Dr.
Percival lay in a hammock on the front veranda.
"Oh, Dick, dear fellow, are you still unable to move about?" asked Dr.
Johnson, grasping his hand and looking down into his thin, pale face
with eyes that filled with tears in spite of himself.
"Oh, I'll soon be all right, Bob; though if it hadn't been for Harold
here," giving the latter a warmly affectionate glance, "I doubt if you
would have found a partner in your practice on your return."
"In that case I am certainly under great obligations to you, Harold,"
Robert said with feeling, as he and Harold grasped hands with cousinly
warmth. "You could hardly have done me a greater service."
"Don't talk of obligations," said Harold with emotion. "Dick and you
and I are not only all members of the same profession, but all near
kinsmen; so that Dick had a double and strong claim upon me and my
services."
"And we all think he needs a change," said Maud, standing near, "and
so, by Cousin Elsie's kind invitation, we are going with her and the
rest, in the captain's yacht, to visit them and our old homes; then on
farther North to the seashore."
"The very best thing that could be done, I think," said Robert; "it
certainly is Dick's turn to have a holiday while I stay and attend to
our practice."
The mirth, jollity, and feasting that followed, filling up the rest of
the day, were very similar to those of the day of the wedding, weeks
before.
Dr. Percival was still feeble, and Mrs. Travilla had some arrangements
to make in regard to the conduct of affairs at Viamede after her
departure, which together made it best to delay for a few days. But at
length all was ready, the good-byes were said, and the return journey
to their northern homes was begun.
As had been planned Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore took the cars at New
Orleans, while the _Dolphin_, bearing the remaining members of their
party, passed from west to east along the Gulf of Mexico, around the
southern coast of Florida and up its eastern coast and that of the
Carolinas. Quite a voyage, but neither tedious nor tiresome to the
passengers, so pleasant did they find each other's society and the
variety of books and sports provided for their entertainment.
During the greater part of the voyage the weather was pleasant enough
to allow them to spend the most of their days upon deck, where they
could walk about or sit and chat beneath an awning.
"Grandma," said little Elsie, coming to Mrs. Travilla's side one
morning as she sat on deck busied with a bit of fancy work, "would it
trouble you to talk to Ned and me a little while?"
"No, dear," was the smiling reply, "but what is it that you wish to
hear from me?"
"Something about General Marion, grandma, if you please. I know a
little about him and admire him very much indeed. He was a South
Carolina man, I know, and when I heard papa say a while ago that we
were on the South Carolina coast, it made me think of Marion and that
I should be very glad to hear something more of what he did in the
Revolution."
"And so would I, grandma; ever so much," added Ned, who was close at
his sister's side.
"Then sit down, one on each side of me, and I will tell you some
things that I have read about General Francis Marion, one of the
boldest, most energetic, and faithful patriots of the Revolution. He
was born in South Carolina in 1732, and it is said was so small a baby
that he might have been easily put into a quart pot."
"He must have had to grow a good deal before he could be a soldier,
grandma," laughed Ned.
"Yes, but he had forty-three years to do it in," said Elsie.
"That many years before the Revolutionary War began," said her
grandma, "but he was only twenty-seven when he became a soldier by
joining an expedition against the Cherokees and other hostile Indian
tribes on the western frontier of his State. When the Revolution began
he was made a captain in the second South Carolina regiment. He fought
in the battle at Fort Sullivan, on Sullivan's Island, in the contest
at Savannah, and many another. He organized a brigade and became
brigadier of the militia of South Carolina. After the battle of Eutaw
he became senator in the Legislature, but soon went back into the army
and remained there till the close of the war."
"Grandma, didn't he and his soldiers camp in the swamps a good deal of
the time?" asked Elsie.
"Yes; and often had but little to eat--sometimes sweet potatoes only,
and but a scant supply of them. A story is told of a young British
officer from Georgetown coming to treat with him respecting prisoners,
when Marion was camping on Snow's Island--at the confluence of the
Pedee River and Lynch's Creek. The Briton was led blindfolded to
Marion's camp. There for the first time he saw that general--a small
man--with groups of his men about him, lounging under the magnificent
trees draped with moss. When they had concluded their business Marion
invited the Englishman to dine with him. The invitation was accepted,
and great was the astonishment of the guest when the dinner was
served; only some roasted potatoes on a piece of bark. 'Surely,
general,' he said, 'this cannot be your ordinary fare?' 'Indeed it
is,' replied Marion, 'and we are fortunate on this occasion,
entertaining company, to have more than our usual allowance.'
"It is said that the young officer gave up his commission on his
return, saying that such a people could not, and ought not to be
subdued."
"Marion and his men must have loved their country and liberty to be
willing to live in swamps with nothing but potatoes to eat," said
Elsie; "it makes me think of the stories I've read and heard about
Robin Hood and his merry men."
"Yes," said her grandmother, "and Lossing tells us Marion's men were
as devoted to him as those of Robin Hood were to their leader. Our
poet Bryant has drawn a telling picture of that noble band in his
"SONG OF MARION'S MEN.
"Our band is few, but true and tried,
Our leader frank and bold;
The British soldier trembles
When Marion's name is told.
Our fortress is the good greenwood,
Our tent the cypress-tree;
We know the forest round us
As seamen know the sea.
We know its walls of thorny vines,
Its glades of reedy grass;
Its safe and silent islands
Within the dark morass.
"Woe to the English soldiery,
That little dread us near!
On them shall light at midnight
A strange and sudden fear;
When, waking to their tents on fire,
They grasp their arms in vain,
And they who stand to face us
Are beat to earth again;
And they who fly in terror deem
A mighty host behind,
And hear the tramp of thousands
Upon the hollow wind.
"Then sweet the hour that brings release
From danger and from toil;
We talk the battle over,
And share the battle's spoil.
The woodland rings with laugh and shout,
As if a hunt were up,
And woodland flowers are gather'd
To crown the soldier's cup.
With merry songs we mock the wind
That in the pine-top grieves,
And slumber long and sweetly
On beds of oaken leaves.
"Well knows the fair and friendly moon
The band that Marion leads--
The glitter of their rifles.
The scampering of their steeds.
'Tis life to guide the fiery barb
Across the moonlight plain;
'Tis life to feel the night wind
That lifts his tossing mane.
A moment in the British camp--
A moment--and away
Back to the pathless forest,
Before the peep of day.
"Grave men there are by broad Santee,
Grave men with hoary hairs,
Their hearts are all with Marion,
For Marion are their prayers.
And lovely ladies greet our band
With kindliest welcoming,
With smiles like those of summer,
With tears like those of spring.
For them we wear these trusty arms,
And lay them down no more
Till we have driven the Briton
Forever from our shore."
"And we did drive the British away--or Marion and his men, and the
rest of our brave soldiers did," exclaimed Ned when the recitation of
the poem was finished, "didn't they, grandma?"
"Yes, Neddie boy, God helped us to get free and become the great
nation which we are to-day; and to him let us give all the glory and
the praise."
"Yes, grandma, I know that even those brave and good fighters couldn't
have done it if God hadn't helped them. Did Marion live long after the
war was over?"
"About a dozen years. He died on the 29th of February, 1795. We are
told his last words were, 'Thank God, since I came to man's estate I
have never intentionally done wrong to any man.'"
"And is that all the story about him?" asked Ned regretfully.
"Enough for the present, I think," replied his grandma; "when you are
older you can read of him in history for yourself. However, some of
his work will come in incidentally as I go on with some other
historical sketches. I want to tell you something of Mrs. Rebecca
Motte--one of the brave and patriotic women living in South Carolina
at that time--and the doings of the British and Americans on her
estate.
"Mrs. Motte was a rich widow. She had a fine large mansion occupying
a commanding position on the road between Charleston and Camden. The
British, knowing that she was a patriot, drove her and her family from
their home to a farmhouse which she owned, upon a hill north of her
mansion, into which they put a garrison of one hundred and fifty men
under Captain M'Pherson, a brave British officer.
"Early in May he was joined by a small detachment of dragoons sent
from Charleston with despatches for Lord Rawdon. They were about to
leave when Marion and Lee, with their troops, were seen upon the
height at the farmhouse where Mrs. Motte was now living. So the
dragoons remained to give their help in the defense of the fort.
"Lee took position at the farmhouse, and his men, with a fieldpiece
which General Greene had sent them, were stationed on the eastern
slope of the high plain on which Fort Motte stood. Marion at once
threw up a mound and planted the fieldpiece upon it in a position to
rake the northern face of the parapet of the fort against which Lee
was about to move.
"M'Pherson was without artillery. Between Fort Motte and the height
where Lee was posted was a narrow valley which enabled his men to
come within a few hundred yards of the fort. From that they began to
advance by a parallel--a wide trench--and by the 10th of the month
they were so far successful that they felt warranted in demanding a
surrender. They sent a summons to M'Pherson, but he gallantly refused
to comply.
"That evening our men heard that Lord Rawdon had retreated from
Camden, was coming in that direction, and would relieve Fort Motte.
The next morning beacon fires could be seen on the high hills of
Santee, and that night the besieged were greatly rejoiced to see their
gleam on the highest ground of the country opposite Fort Motte. They
were delighted, but soon found that they had rejoiced too soon.
"Lee proposed a quicker plan for dislodging them than had been thought
of before. Mrs. Motte's mansion, in the center of their works, was
covered with a roof of shingles now very dry, as there had been no
rain for several days and the heat of the sun had been great. Lee's
idea was to set those shingles on fire and so drive the enemy out. He
had been enjoying Mrs. Motte's hospitality and her only marriageable
daughter was the wife of a friend of his, so he was very loath to
destroy her property, but on telling her his plan, he was much
relieved to find that she was not only willing, but desirous to serve
her country by the sacrifice of her property.
"He then told his plan to Marion and they made haste to execute it. It
was proposed to set the roof on fire with lighted torches attached to
arrows which should be shot against it. Mrs. Motte, seeing that the
arrows the men were preparing were not very good, brought out a fine
bow and bundle of arrows which had come from the East Indies, and gave
them to Lee.
"The next morning Lee again sent a flag of truce to M'Pherson, the
bearer telling him that Rawdon had not yet crossed the Santee, and
that immediate surrender would save many lives.
"But M'Pherson still refused, and at noon Nathan Savage, a private in
Marion's brigade, shot toward the house several arrows with lighted
torches attached. Two struck the dry shingles and instantly a bright
flame was creeping along the roof. Soldiers were sent up to knock off
the shingles and put out the fire, but a few shots from Marion's
battery raked the loft and drove them below. Then M'Pherson hung out a
white flag, the Americans ceased firing, the flames were put out, and
at one o'clock the garrison surrendered themselves prisoners of war.
"Then Mrs. Motte invited both the American and the British officers to
a sumptuous dinner which she had had made ready for them."
Grace Raymond had drawn near and was listening in a very interested
way to the story as told by Mrs. Travilla.
"Grandma Elsie," she said as that lady paused in her narrative, "do
you remember a little talk between the American and British officers
at that dinner of Mrs. Motte's?"
"I am not sure that I do," was the reply. "Can you repeat it for us?"
"I think I can give at least the substance," said Grace. "One of the
prisoners was an officer named Captain Ferguson. He was seated near
Colonel Horry, one of our American officers. Addressing him, Ferguson
said, 'You are Colonel Horry, I presume, sir?' Horry replied that he
was and Ferguson went on, 'Well, I was with Colonel Watson when he
fought your General Marion on Sampit. I think I saw you there with a
party of horse, and also at Nelson's Ferry, when Marion surprised our
party at the house. But I was hid in high grass and escaped. You were
fortunate in your escape at Sampit, for Watson and Small had twelve
hundred men.'
"'If so,' said Horry, 'I certainly was fortunate, for I did not
suppose they had more than half that number,' Then Ferguson said, 'I
consider myself equally fortunate in escaping at Nelson's Old Field.'
"'Truly you were,' Horry returned sarcastically, 'for Marion had but
thirty militia on that occasion,' The other officers at the table
could not refrain from laughing. General Greene afterward asked Horry
how he came to affront Captain Ferguson, and Horry answered that he
affronted himself by telling his own story.'"
"Ah, I think our soldiers were the bravest," was little Elsie's
comment upon that anecdote.
"Yes," said her grandma, "probably because they were fighting for
liberty and home."
"Please, grandma, tell us another Revolutionary story," pleaded Ned.
"Did you ever hear the story of what Emily Geiger did for the good
cause?" asked Grandma Elsie in reply.
"No, ma'am; won't you please tell it?"
"Yes. Emily was the daughter of a German planter in Fairfield
District. She was not more than eighteen years old, but very brave.
General Greene had an important message to send to Sumter, but because
of the danger from the numbers of Tories and British likely to be
encountered on the way none of his men seemed willing to take it;
therefore he was delighted when this young girl came forward and
offered to carry his letter to Sumter. But fearing she might lose it
on the way, he made her acquainted with its contents.
"She mounted a fleet horse, crossed the Wateree at the Camden Ferry,
and hastened on toward Sumter's camp. On the second day of her
journey, while passing through a dry swamp, she was stopped and made
prisoner by some Tory scouts, who suspected her because she came from
the direction of Greene's army. They took her to a house on the edge
of the swamp and shut her up in a room, while they sent for a woman to
search her person.
"Emily was by no means willing to have the letter found upon her
person, so as soon as left alone she began tearing it up and
swallowing it piece by piece. After a while the woman came and
searched her carefully, but found nothing to criminate the girl, as
the last piece of the letter had already gone down her throat.
"Her captors, now convinced of her innocence, made many apologies and
allowed her to go on her way. She reached Sumter's camp, gave him
Greene's message, and soon the British under Rawdon were flying before
the Americans toward Orangeburg."
"Is that all, grandma?" asked Ned, as Mrs. Travilla paused and glanced
up smilingly at Captain Raymond, who now drew near.
"All for the present, Neddie," she replied. "Some other time I may
perhaps think of other incidents to give you."
"Ah, mother, so you have been kindly entertaining my children, who are
great lovers of stories," remarked the captain. "I hope they have not
been too exacting in their entreaties for such amusement?"
"Oh, no," she replied; "they wanted some episodes in the history of
the State we are passing, and I have been giving them some account of
the gallant deeds of General Marion and others."
"He was a brave, gallant man, was Francis Marion, thoroughly
patriotic, and one of the finest characters of that time; a countryman
of whom we may well be proud," remarked the captain, speaking with
earnestness and enthusiasm; "and with it all he was most humane; a
great contrast to some of the British officers who burnt houses,
robbed and wronged women and children--rendering them shelterless,
stripping them of all clothes except those they wore, not to speak of
even worse acts of barbarity. Bancroft tells us that when the British
were burning houses on the Little Pedee, Marion permitted his men of
that district to go home and protect their wives and families; but
that he would not suffer retaliation and wrote with truth, 'There is
not one house burned by my orders or by any of my people. It is what I
detest, to distress poor women and children.'"
"I am proud of him as one of my countrymen," said Grace. "He was
sometimes called 'The swamp Fox,' was he not, papa?"
"Yes; the swamps were his usual place of refuge and camping ground."
"I admire him very much and like to hear about him and all he did for
our country," said little Elsie; "but I am glad and thankful that I
didn't live in those dreadful war times."
"As you well may be, my dear child," said her father. "We cannot be
too thankful for the liberty we enjoy in these days and which was
largely won for us by Marion and other brave and gallant patriots of
those darker days. They, and our debt of gratitude to them, should
never be forgotten or ignored."