THE AMBUSH.
Had the men composing the brigade all been akin to me they could
not have shown greater kindness, nor done more to soothe my grief,
than they did during the brief time before the march toward the Tory
encampment was really commenced.
One found immediately a better steed; another brought assurances from
Captain Mouzon that I was not to think for a single instant of the loss
of his horses, since it was only the fortunes of war, which must be
expected. A third would have pressed food upon me; but I could not have
swallowed a single morsel unless, perchance, life itself might have
depended upon the act.
My uncle, Major James, said very little after hearing the story we had
gotten from Sam Lee.
At first I attributed his silence to the apprehensions which had come
upon him with the knowledge that General Gates had been overwhelmed;
but later I had good reason to believe it arose solely from anxiety
concerning my brother.
"You shall ride by my side, lad, until we have settled this affair, and
when it is done neither you nor I will have cause to reproach ourselves
for not having ventured enough."
Such a promise from such a man was sufficient to tell me that while
he and I remained alive, we would struggle as men do who have no fear
of death, until the dear lad was rescued, or we borne down by press of
numbers.
At this day it seems singular to me that I heard no one speak of the
great disaster which had come upon the colonists at Camden.
I can only explain it by the supposition that each man saw in
the adventure before us an opportunity to do somewhat by way of
retaliation, and set all his thoughts on that purpose.
We were halted, after my rejoining the brigade, twenty minutes or more,
and then the word to advance was given; but not in such fashion as
I had supposed from what General Marion said, on his learning of the
disaster which had come upon Percy.
My idea was, and in my ignorance I saw no other method of procedure,
that the little troop would ride into Barfield's Tories even as they
had among those commanded by Major Gainey, and that we should profit by
the surprise.
This could not be done, as I afterward came to realize.
The capture of Percy, and what Sam Lee could tell, would be sufficient
to prevent us from coming upon them unexpectedly.
When the Tory lad should inform the commander that two of Major James'
nephews were in that vicinity, it would be immediately known that our
uncle, with a goodly following, was somewhere nearabout.
The Tories would be prepared, and those who had suffered defeat that
morning must have, by this time, a very good idea of our strength.
General Marion, as I afterward came to know full well, was not the man
to neglect any precaution, and while he counted on making an attack
despite the difference in numbers, it was his intention to do so in
such manner as would come nearest to guaranteeing success.
Fifty of the best mounted men were detached and sent straight toward
Dubose Ferry, while the remainder of the brigade rode off at right
angles, in such direction as would bring us to the timber lands
eastward of the road leading to Indian Village.
It was this last portion of the force which my uncle and I accompanied,
and I, surprised that a part of the brigade rode at full speed, while
we loitered, as it were, asked the reason.
"Those in advance are mounted in such fashion that they may easily
outrun the enemy, and it is the plan that they appear before Barfield's
force as if intending to make an attack," my uncle replied. "After thus
showing themselves the squad will beat a retreat, causing it to appear
as if they were surprised by seeing so large a force. Then, unless the
Tories are quicker witted than I give them credit for being, a goodly
portion of the band will be led into ambush."
It was the Indian's favorite method of warfare, and, cruel though I had
ever considered it, at this moment it gave me most intense pleasure.
I had said to myself that we could hope to do little less than die in
the vain attempt to rescue Percy; but now it seemed as if, should our
lives be demanded as a sacrifice, we might sell them dearly.
Well, all went as our commander had counted upon.
We hid ourselves in the thicket either side the road, three hundred and
fifty horsemen, with not a man dismounted, for we counted upon riding
the Tories down when they should retreat after the first volley had
warned them that they had been led into a trap.
There we waited upwards of an hour, no man venturing to so much as
speak, and each looking well after his steed lest one of the animals
whinny at the supreme moment, thus giving the enemy a clew, before they
were fairly within our grasp, of what awaited them.
During that hour I resolutely kept my thoughts on trifles, such as
caring for the animal I bestrode, making certain I was in such position
that it would be possible to get out of the wood with the least
possible delay when the enemy was thrown into confusion, and by these
and other means prevented myself from dwelling upon Percy's fate.
Then came that sound for which we had waited--the thunder of horses'
feet upon the beaten road.
We heard cries of fear, which were uttered by our decoys to entice
the Tories into yet hotter pursuit, and far in the distance could be
distinguished the crack of rifles and the rattle of muskets.
At that time, with the blood literally boiling in my veins and my heart
beating like the blows of a hammer, I never stopped to question how
many of ours might be killed in this attempt to deal out punishment to
the enemies of the colonies; but realized only that now was come the
moment when I could strike a blow in defense of my brother.
Nearer and nearer came the horsemen, until through the trees we saw the
Williamsburg men riding madly down, not a saddle emptied, and before
one could count twenty the advance of the Tories came in sight.
A whispered word went around among us to "hold ready," although every
man was on the alert, and when the road in front of us appeared to be
one dense mass of horses, and men wearing red uniforms, my uncle gave
the signal for which we waited:
"Fire, boys, and at them!"
From each side the road rang out reports of rifles which had been
leveled in deadly aim, for at such short range each could pick his man
and make certain of bringing him down.
Instantly the ranks were broken; the redcoated horsemen reined in
their steeds as the squad they had been pursuing halted and fired their
volley, and then came a scramble and retreat when we dashed among them.
Twice I loaded and discharged my rifle, and then it seemed to me as if
such work was all too slow.
Using the weapon as a club, I rode by my uncle's side into the very
midst of that scrambling, terrified mass of human beings, and cried
aloud with savage joy when I struck one of the frightened villains
down.
As was afterward learned, there were no less than one thousand men who
had set out in pursuit of our decoys, and yet after our first attack
not one of them remained to hold us in check.
Had they been only so many sheep, we could not have found them easier
prey.
The major, my uncle, had said I should ride by his side, and so I did,
down the road at the heels of the Tory scoundrels, ever as we had done
the night previous. Then on, and on, striking down a foe here and there
until we were come, nearly the whole brigade, into that encampment
which Gavin Witherspoon and I had looked upon, believing it could not
be taken by such a force as ours.
Out of all those scoundrels who had so lately held the place, believing
that those true to the Cause had been virtually crushed by the defeat
of General Gates, only two men came forth to meet us, and those two, my
brother and Gavin Witherspoon.
Is there any need I should say how warm was the greeting between us
two lads when I threw myself from the horse and clasped to my heart the
dear boy whom I had thought never to see again in this life?
It needed no more than an hundred words for him to tell his story.
While he remained in the thicket guarding Sam Lee a body of men, who
had lately served under Major Gainey, came upon them by chance, and, as
a matter of course, he was at once taken prisoner, Sam Lee immediately
telling the story of his own capture.
Then it was the Tory Sam who became the jailer, and Percy the prisoner.
My brother was conducted to Barfield's camp, and there kept under guard
of Sam, who did all that lay in his power, save by way of personal
violence, to pay off old scores.
Gavin Witherspoon, wily as an Indian, had crept up to the very edge
of the encampment, and was lying there in the vain hope that some
opportunity would come for the rescue, when our force, sent as a decoy,
appeared.
An hundred or more men were left to guard the encampment, and Gavin
hoped the moment had come when he might be of service to the lad.
Believing that the Tories would be victorious in the chase, because of
superior numbers, he ventured too near Percy, and was himself captured.
An hour later the first of the terrified fugitives burst into the
encampment, riding straight through it in their wild terror, thus
causing a panic among the guard who might even then, because of their
intrenched position, have held us in check.
In a twinkling Percy and Gavin were free; but in imminent danger of
being ridden down by the panic-stricken.
Crouching behind trees, or at the stronger portions of the
intrenchments, they awaited our coming, and when we rode into camp came
forth to greet us as I have said.
Our force remained in the captured quarters until next morning, and
during the evening Gavin Witherspoon, Percy and myself had much to talk
about.
My brother and I were come by this time to look upon the old man as a
comrade, and well we might, after the friend he had proven himself to
be.
While we talked only concerning ourselves, and looked after our own
welfare, General Marion and the officers of the command spent the time
discussing how it might be possible for so small a force to uphold the
cause in the Carolinas, for since the defeat of Gates ours was the only
body of men in the colony to oppose the foe.
It was as if the king's troops had indeed crushed what they were
pleased to term "rebellion," and more than one man in the brigade whose
fidelity to the Cause could not be questioned, asked his comrade if it
were wise to longer remain in arms when we were virtually whipped.
The outlook was gloomy indeed for those who had hoped to be freed from
the burdens the king had put upon them; but, fortunately for the Cause,
General Marion and Major James were not the men to give in beaten so
long as life remained.
Even while some among us were making ready to say openly that the time
had come when we must submit, those two gallant gentlemen were planning
for the future--planning as to how four hundred or less might best
oppose ten times their number of trained soldiers.
Gavin Witherspoon, Percy and myself, while listening to the
faint-hearted ones or discussing the situation between ourselves, hoped
that the general would call upon us for some especial mission, even as
he had when we were sent to spy out Barfield's camp; but the time was
not come when we were needed for a venture of any moment, as we learned
an hour before daybreak next morning.
Then the men were aroused with orders to breakfast from the Tories'
provisions as hurriedly as might be, and make ready for the forced
march.
Among those with whom I talked, when in the gray light we made our
preparations for the march, not a man believed there was the slightest
question we should continue upon the offensive.
All understood that we could not in safety remain much longer in the
Tory camp, for unless those whom we had routed were greater cowards
than was generally believed, they would soon recover from the panic
into which we had driven them, and return to make an attack.
Therefore it was that we set out believing the move was made simply for
the purpose of changing quarters, and when orders were given that each
man take from the Tory stores so much of provisions for himself, or
provender for his horse as could be carried conveniently behind him, we
fancied it was the general's purpose to so outfit the brigade that it
might lay in hiding two or three days without being forced to venture
forth in search of food.
Before noon came, however, all understood that some maneuver was in
progress.
Instead of riding rapidly, as would have been the case had we counted
on simply exchanging one encampment for another, we went forward at a
leisurely pace, making no halt until the sun was high in the heavens,
when we were come to the ford on Black River, half a dozen miles or
more south of Kingstree.
Then the men and horses were allowed a rest of an hour, after which we
bore nearly due west until we struck the road leading from Georgetown
to Nelson's Ferry, and the word was whispered from man to man that the
commander had it in mind to strike yet another blow at the red-coated
enemy before we laid down our arms.
It is well known, as a matter of course, that the "war-path" from
Charleston to Camden crosses Santee River at Nelson's Ferry, and here,
above all other places, would one who was eager for fighting be likely
to get his fill.
More than once during the day had we learned from planters, who were
true to the Cause, additional particulars concerning the blunder of
General Gates, and before nightfall we understood beyond a peradventure
that the story told by Sam Lee was only untrue in so far as it did not
contain all the disasters which had befallen the American arms.
Now we knew how many prisoners had been taken, and, what was more to
the purpose, learned that our unfortunate countrymen were being sent
as rapidly as possible from the scene of the one-sided conflict to
Charleston.
It was an hour before sunset, and we were holding the same pace at
which we started, with no evidence of going into camp, when Gavin
Witherspoon said bitterly, as if the thought had just seized him:
"Lads, if it so be you have any curiosity concerning this long march
of ours, during which we have traversed the Williamsburg district
apparently for no other purpose than to come upon an enemy who may
crush us with but little trouble, I can satisfy you."
"Have you been getting some special information?" Percy asked with a
laugh.
"Aye, lad, that I have, and you may count upon its being true, although
I got it only from my own head."
"Then you are guessing as to where we are going?" I said with no great
show of enthusiasm, for I was weary to the verge of exhaustion with
long remaining in the saddle.
"It is more than guessing, lad. It is what has been learned from
observation, and that is the most reliable information a man can
obtain. We are heading for Nelson's Ferry."
"If that is all your observation has taught you, it would seem as if
much time had been wasted," Percy replied laughingly. "Every man in the
brigade has known as much since noon."
"True, lad, but that is not the sum of the information I am willing
to give. It has been told us that the American prisoners which Lord
Cornwallis took are being sent to Charleston as rapidly as possible,
and you will admit with me that all must pass through this same place
toward which we are bound. It is General Marion's purpose to strike
another blow, if no more, at the enemy, and in so doing set free some
of those who were made prisoners through their general's stupidity."
There was much of sound common sense in Gavin Witherspoon's reasoning,
and straightway the truth of it came into my mind, all sense of fatigue
was lost sight of in the relief which was mine at knowing we would
not yet submit to the Britishers, even though it seemed as if we were
already driven to the last extremity.
A moment before the old man gave words to his thoughts, I would
have said that both the animal I bestrode and myself were so near
to exhaustion that we could not hold the pace an hour longer; but
now it was as if I had enjoyed a long time of repose, and action was
absolutely necessary, lest I grow rusty with much idleness.
We three discussed the possibility of the future as if all Gavin
Witherspoon had suggested was known to be true, until one of the
general's aides came riding down the line, drawing rein in front of us,
as he said curtly:
"The general would speak with you."
"We have not been forgotten," Percy cried gleefully, "and now has come
our time to render some immediate service."
"Or fall into the hands of the enemy," Gavin Witherspoon added with
a smile. "These special missions are not the safest, and sometimes he
who sets out on them with the idea of making his name famous, comes to
grief."
"As I did yesterday," Percy replied, still laughing. "When I have
as comrades you and Bob, it matters little how much of unpleasant
adventure I see, save for the discomfort of the moment."
Then the dear lad spurred his horse onward, and we two followed,
Gavin Witherspoon wearing a serious countenance, while I was in
much perplexity as to whether two lads like Percy and myself should
be trusted with work such as old soldiers oftentimes fail at doing
successfully.
Arriving at the head of the line we found the general and Major James
riding side by side.
Both returned our salute, but neither slackened speed, and we rode
alongside of the general, Percy and I, while Gavin remained slightly in
the rear.
"We should be within twenty miles of Nelson's Ferry," the commander
said, speaking as if we were eager for such information. "It is certain
that portions of Cornwallis's force guarding American prisoners will
pass there from time to time within the next eight and forty hours. It
is my desire that we have early information of such coming and going,
and to that end I have sent for you, lads."
He paused for an instant as if debating in his mind what to say next,
and Gavin Witherspoon rode up that he might attract the general's
attention, when the latter said with a smile:
"I am speaking to you two lads and the old man who is so eager to
participate in venturesome missions. Any force coming from Camden will
halt over night, at least, nearabout the Ferry. By riding up the river
ten miles or more you should be able to give me timely information of
their coming. Within an hour we shall halt, and then it is you who must
push forward so far as the animals can go. Continue on until having
come to a point ten or twelve miles above the Ferry. There remain,
in whatsoever fashion may please you, until you hear of the enemy's
approach. Then wait only so long as may be necessary to learn how
strong he is in numbers, after which you will ride without delay to Taw
Caw Creek, on the bank of which we shall be encamped."
Having said this he saluted, as did my uncle, and we three,
understanding that this was the signal for dismissal, reined in our
steeds until we were fallen back to our proper place in the line.
The knowledge that we were to perform some especial work which bid fair
to be of service to the Cause, heartened us wonderfully, and indeed we
had need of something to raise our courage, for much talking about the
disasters which had overtaken the American troops caused it to seem as
if the so-called rebellion was well-nigh come to an end.
"It may be our last chance of striking a blow at those who represent
the king, lads," Gavin Witherspoon said cheerily. "Mayhap we shall
be fortunate if a British bullet finds lodgment in our bodies with
sufficient force to wipe us out of existence, for such a death as that
is preferable to hanging, and that is what awaits us of Williamsburg
who defy his majesty, after my Lord Clinton's second proclamation."
"It is a doleful way you have of preparing one for venturesome work,"
Percy said, with a laugh which told that he claimed little share in
these forebodings. "If to be shot is good fortune, then we may rejoice,
for I doubt not but that there are hundreds of the king's servants who
will readily grant such a favor."
"I am not minded to dishearten you," Gavin said in a kindly tone; "but
the straits into which the Cause has fallen are so sore and desperate
now, that to an old man like me who has ventured all, it would seem as
if a soldier's death, coming before the last blow to the colonies had
been struck, was a kindly thing. However, we are like to go ten miles
above Nelson's Ferry and back, without falling into more harm than was
brought about by the capture of Sam Lee, and I venture to say we shall
report in proper form and due time such information as the general
desires."
Then we fell silent, each intent on his own thoughts, and at that
moment I was thinking far more of my mother than of the Cause, for
Gavin Witherspoon's words had depressed me until it began to appear as
if I might never see her dear face again.
From this pleasant but yet painful reverie I was roused by the halting
of the command, and Percy said, seizing me by the arm as if believing
I had fallen asleep:
"The time has come for us to push forward alone, Bob, and we must make
as many miles 'twixt now and dark as can be forced out of these jaded
steeds."