CHAPTER II.
GENERAL MARION.
Not until I had warned him, was Percy aware of the danger which menaced.
Intent only upon the task which he set himself, with a view ofperforming it in the shortest possible space of time, the lad gave noheed to anything else, and but for the fact of my being on watch, so tospeak, I believe of a verity he would have been taken prisoner.
Even as it was, he did not cease his labors until the Tory crewwere come within fifty yards of him, and then with one vigorous,well-directed blow by way of parting, Percy took to his heels.
I had at that moment started toward him, believing the lad was mindedto give battle even though the odds were twenty to one, for the Jamesfamily of Williamsburg are not given to counting cost when the chancesare heavily against them.
Then, seeing what was his inclination, I wheeled about almost at thevery instant when the Tories sent a volley of bullets after us, andI do truly believe there was a blush of shame upon my cheek that menof Carolina should show themselves such wretched marksmen, for nota missile hit us, although the range could not have been above fortyyards.
We were not minded to run in the open where the traitors might practiseat shooting, with us as targets; but, bearing sharply to the left, weplunged into the thicket, where I felt certain such as those who wouldconsort with Sam Lee could not come up with us.
Percy, whose blood had been warmed by the punishment given the youngTory, burned with a desire to halt and give battle.
"It would be folly for us to set ourselves against such odds when nobenefit may be derived from the battle," I said, speaking as we ran.
"If the odds are great, so much more thorough the lesson, and theseskulking traitors surely need a check just now, when the fortunes ofwar seem to be in their favor."
"Ay, but it is not for us to play the schoolmaster with less than halfa horn of powder and five bullets," I replied, checking back the mirthwhich came upon me when the dear lad spoke of making an attack almostempty-handed upon the Tories of Williamsburg.
It was such a suggestion as might be expected from a James of theCarolinas, and certain it is Percy would have halted with a smile uponhis face and a sense of deepest satisfaction in his heart, even thoughby so doing we brought ourselves face to face with death.
He always looked upon me as a leader, however, and now it was well hehad been accustomed to do so, otherwise I doubt if we should ever haveleft that place alive.
"Since we must perforce return empty-handed, for there are no othermills to be sacked in this neighborhood, I would give much for theprivilege of showing those fellows how to shoot, else will this day bewasted," he said after a pause.
"In that you are making a mistake, lad. The day would surely be spentin vain if yonder band of Tories suffer no greater loss of numbers thanwe could inflict; but by running away now it may be possible to crushout the whole nest."
"Then you have some plan in mind?" he cried eagerly.
"No more than this: After the reverses which have come to our people atCharleston something in the nature of success is necessary to revivethe faint-hearted, and it can readily be done if we carry to GeneralMarion word of what has been done. Unless I am much mistaken in ourcommander, we shall soon have ample opportunity of showing thesetraitors how to shoot."
Now, and for the first time, Percy understood what might be the resultof this day's failure, so far as we were concerned, to secure materialfor sabres.
It was no longer necessary for me to urge him to make greater speed inthe retreat.
Halting only when forced to do so that we might regain breath, andgiving no thought whatsoever to fatigue, the race was ended in a littlemore than two hours, when we stood before our uncle, the major, tellinghim of what we had seen at Pingree's Mill.
"It is a fortunate chance for us, lads," he said in a tone ofsatisfaction. "Scantily equipped as this force is, we need something toinflame the courage of our men."
"Sam Lee would have had us believe there were two thousand Toriesnearabout, sir," I ventured to suggest, and the major looked at mesearchingly for an instant.
"Do the odds make you timorous, lad?"
"Not so, sir. But that I believed it necessary General Marion shouldknow of the encampment, Percy and I would have given them so much ofa lesson as might be possible with five bullets. In fact, I found itsomewhat difficult to force him along with me, so much averse was he torunning away."
My uncle's stern, questioning gaze disappeared on the instant, andgripping both of us lads by the hands, he said in a most friendly tone:
"I had no reason whatsoever to question your courage, for you aremembers of our family; yet for the merest fraction of time it seemedas if you might perchance show the white feather when our enemies werein such force. Come with me to the general, and you shall see whetherany account be taken of numbers, for now has the Cause fallen into suchsore straits that every man who holds to it must consider himself equalto a dozen of the king's minions."
Our brigade was set down, rather than encamped, in the woods; therewere no shelters other than such as the men made for themselves withpine boughs, and the command bore but little semblance to a militaryorganization.
Therefore it was that we were not troubled to gain audience with thecommander.
The crimson jacket could be seen a long distance away under ahuge live-oak tree, nearby where were three or four men building acamp-fire, and toward that gleaming spot of color we made our way.
"I would introduce to you two members of my family, sons of the WidowSumter," the major said as he saluted, and I was surprised at thechange which passed over that serious, almost gloomy-looking face whena friendly expression came into his eyes.
It was as if he had thrown off the mask, and shown us a countenancealmost the opposite to that which we had previously seen.
Nothing more was needed to tell me, that now indeed, we had a leaderwho was worthy to supersede my uncle.
"It pleasures me to meet with those who are akin to such a true patriotas Major James," the general said most courteously, and one needsremember that he was speaking to two lads, in order to understand howmuch such words meant.
"I can answer for it they will be true to any trust you may repose inthem," my uncle said, and Percy gripped me by the hand that I mightunderstand how well pleased he was at such words of praise. "It wasnot simply to bring the lads to your notice that I have thus introducedthem, General; they have information of greatest importance."
General Marion turned toward us inquiringly, and in as few words asmight be I told him of the encounter.
"A force of two thousand?" he said half to himself, and added as helooked me full in the eye. "Can you depend upon the truthfulness of thelad who made the boast?"
"Indeed we cannot, sir. I would have been inclined to doubt the entirestory, had not forty or more appeared in response to Sam Lee's criesfor help."
"Are you positive he spoke of Major Gainey as being in command?"
"Ay, sir; I remember well the name."
"Are you lads enlisted with this force?"
Instead of answering the question I looked toward my uncle, and hereplied without hesitation:
"They are, General, if it please you to accept lads as young as they."
"It is the will and the courage, rather than the age, which we need,Major James, and unless I have made a mistake in reading their faces,these sons of the Widow Sumter may do men's work in the task which isset them."
Percy and I made our best salute, as can well be fancied and from thatmoment counted ourselves as being enlisted under that true general andvaliant soldier, to whom the butcher Tarleton gave the name of "SwampFox."
The general, having acknowledged our salute, turned toward my unclein such manner as gave us to understand that he wished to speakwith him privately, and we withdrew a short distance, to where GavinWitherspoon, an old acquaintance, was making ready for the eating astring of fish.
"Are you two lads come to see how s
oldiers live?" the old man askedwith that peculiar grin which had earned for him the name of the "bigmouthed."
"If we had, it would seem that we were come to the wrong place," Percyreplied with a laugh. "Surely you are not counting yourself a soldier,Gavin Witherspoon?"
"I am allowin' I'll come as nigh to it as many who wear the king'suniform. It isn't always him who stands the stiffest that can bringdown the most game, an' there's no need of my tellin' two lads bythe name of Sumter that we of Williamsburg are not given to wastin'ammunition."
"Of that I am not so certain," Percy retorted, "for within the pastthree hours, forty, who might perhaps claim this district as theirhome, had fair shot at us, and within fifty-yard range, therefore youcan see for yourself whether the ammunition was wasted or not."
"Forty?" Gavin cried excitedly, forgetting for the instant his campduties at this mention of the enemy.
I was not minded to keep the old man in suspense, therefore at oncetold him of what we had seen, whereupon he ceased his labors as cookand began overhauling the long, smooth-bore rifle, in the use of whichhe might truly be called an expert.
"Are you going out single-handed in search of them?" Percy askedbanteringly.
"Hark you, lads! I served under General Marion in '75, when he wasonly a captain, and know full well what manner of man he is. Neither henor Major James would remain here idle after such a story as you havebrought, and I venture to say this mess of fish won't be needed untilthey are past cookin'."
Gavin Witherspoon had no more than spoken, before we heard the wordpassed from man to man around the encampment that an immediate advancewas to be made.
Now to the credit of the men of Williamsburg, let me set down thisfact, that without the least show of hesitation, although it wasunderstood the enemy which we had reported far outnumbered us, everymember of the brigade set about his preparations for the journey withapparently as much pleasure as if bent on some merry-making.
We were not well supplied with provisions, yet there were others thanGavin Witherspoon who left the food by the fires, lest perchance theyshould be among the last who were ready.
I think no more than twenty minutes passed from the time of our arrivaluntil everything was in readiness--every man mounted, except thecommanding officers, and Percy said to me mournfully:
"It is like to benefit us but little, this having been enlisted underGeneral Marion, for how may we keep pace with the horsemen?"
I had asked myself that question, and decided that on this expedition,which rightfully belonged to us because of the discovery, we mustperforce be left behind.
"All appear to have forgotten us; even Gavin Witherspoon no longerlooks our way," Percy continued, and it was then that our uncle calledus by name.
It can well be imagined that we lost no time in obeying the summons,and, approaching to where he was standing in company with the generaland a captain, we heard that which gave us much pleasure.
"Captain Mouzon has generously offered you lads a mount. His sparehorses are to be found back here in the thicket, under care of theservants," my uncle said. "You will overtake us as soon as may be, andreport at once to me. The general has been pleased to detail you forspecial duty."
While speaking he mounted his horse, the others doing the same, and asPercy and I hurried away the word was given for the command to advance.
Even at the expense of telling over-much that may seem like dryreading, I must make especial mention of the advantage we had over theenemy, in the way of horses.
The Carolinians dearly loved a thoroughbred, and in Williamsburgdistrict every soldier was mounted in kingly fashion.
The heavy, lumbering work-horses which were sold to the redcoats,were like snails compared with the blooded stock our people rode, andbecause of these did General Marion owe much of his success in thedays to come, when we dashed here and there over the country, strikinga blow at night twenty miles or more away from where we had hurledourselves upon the foe in the morning.
Now we two lads knew that Captain Mouzon had in his stables not lessthan thirty beasts which had no superiors in the neighborhood, andtherefore were we positive of being astride such as would carry us wellin the advance, however mad might be the pace set.
We found old Jacob, the captain's chief groom, in charge of fourclean-limbed, noble beasts as ever wore a saddle, and it was not aneasy matter to persuade him we had authority to select such as wechose, for he claimed that until a lad had had much experience in thehunting field, he was not to be trusted with a choice of mounts.
Threats would have availed us but little, for despite the old fellow'sdark skin, he had a brave heart when the welfare of his stable was atstake, and therefore we spoke him fairly, using soft words rather thanharsh, until, coming to believe we were but repeating the words of hismaster, he saddled the horses we had selected.
Bestride such animals as could not well be excelled in the Carolinas,Percy and I set forth in pursuit of our friends, confident that wewould be able to give a good account of ourselves, although sadlylacking an outfit.
"Unless it so be we can borrow powder and ball, I fear our share inthe punishment of the Tories will be slight indeed," my brother saidmournfully, and I laughed at his gloomy face.
"Two hours ago, when we were hastening back from Pingree's Mill, youwould have said that with steeds like these we should be equippedin most kingly fashion, and now that we have under us the choice ofCaptain Mouzon's stud, you find yet further necessities."
"I leave it to you to say if five bullets and half a horn of powdermake any very formidable outfit under such leaders as General Marionand our uncle, the major, both of whom are like to show a greedinessfor fighting?"
It was a matter which could not be remedied, this lack of ammunition,until we were come up with some acquaintance who had a larger storethan he needed, and such an one might be difficult to find in thedistrict of Williamsburg, for we who held to the Cause were poor ineverything save the desire to aid our country.
That exhilaration which comes with the stride of a horse when one isin the saddle was upon me, and, for the time being, I gave little heedto our necessities, save that I remembered with regret the fish GavinWitherspoon had wasted.
After a tramp of twenty miles Percy and I stood in need of food, andbut for our own foolhardiness we might have eaten our fill from thedifferent messes which the men left behind, instantly the word wasgiven that the enemy were in such position as invited attack.
When we were come up with the command, Major James beckoned for us tojoin the general and himself, and then it was we learned what work hadbeen cut out for us.
"It is my desire," General Marion said as if speaking to comrades,"that you two lads seek out the haunts of the Tories in this vicinity,and do not let it be known you are enlisted with us. While ournumbers are few, the blows must be quick and frequent, therefore it isnecessary we have constantly in advance searchers, or scouts, whicheveryou may choose to call them."
"Are we to bear no share in the fighting, sir?" I ventured to ask,and a great disappointment came into my heart that we were to be of solittle service.
"No more than absolutely necessary. You can serve the Cause to betterpurpose otherwise, for two lads like yourselves are less liable tosuspicion when venturing in the enemy's country."
"Any who know us as members of the James family will understand fullwell that we have no sympathy with the Tories," Percy cried, whereatthe general laughed heartily as, turning to the major, he said:
"The ties of kinship are drawn more closely in the Carolinas thanelsewhere in all the world, I believe, and well it should be so." Thenhe added, looking directly at me. "We shall stir up the nest whichyou two found, and perhaps give you a share of the fighting, but onlybecause Britton's Neck is, from this point, on the direct road toanother quarter I would have you visit. You may, if you please, joinus in the first attack, and then I shall expect you to ride towardIndian Village, where I have reason to believe certain enemies underone Captain Barf
ield may be found. You will gain so much of informationas is possible, and report to me somewhere on the east bank of CedarCreek."
So that we were to join in this first attack I gave little thought forthe future, and said to myself that if we proved our metal in one casewe might find further opportunities.
The general dismissed us with a friendly nod, and we rode down theline, hoping to find some friend who would loan us powder and ball.
In this last quest we were so far successful as to obtain, perhaps,sufficient for five charges more, and then we had even a larger storethan many a man who rode with the brigade.
It was within an hour of sunset when we set out for Britton's Neck,on the first ride Percy and I had ever undertaken for the Cause, andit would please me much to repeat all the incidents of that night'sjourney, for they are so deeply impressed upon my memory as never to beeffaced by whatsoever of adventure may come to me later in life.
It is not well that I devote so much space, however, to what othersmay think uninteresting, and, therefore, acting on Percy's advice, Ishall say no more concerning the journey when our brigade, only fourcompanies strong, rode through the silent hours of the night at a slowtrot, eager to measure strength with an enemy known to be several timesgreater in numbers than we could muster.
The gray light of the early dawn was just becoming tinged with thatyellow tint which betokens the near approach of the sun, when at asignal from Major James we came to a halt.
Not until that moment could I see any signs of the enemy, and then,gazing in the direction indicated by General Marion's outstretchedhand, I saw dimly amid the mist the outlines of an encampment so large,that for the moment I had no question but what Sam Lee told us only thetruth when he said the force of Tories to be full two thousand.
It may have been one minute or ten that we remained there, horses andmen silent, and motionless as statues; so great was my excitement thatI could not count the passage of time. Only this do I know, that itseemed as if we wasted all that early time of morning twilight beforethe signal was given.
Then it was my uncle raised his hat, waving it above his head at theinstant he gave rein to his horse, and so eager were our men to be atthe throats of the enemy, that before the major's steed had fairly madethe first bound, every member of the brigade was riding forward in madhaste.
The onward rush of that body of horsemen must have presented a singularspectacle, had any one been near at hand to look at it calmly.
In the gray light four hundred or more men riding at full speed inperfect silence, save for the thud of the horses' feet upon the sward,and with them in their very midst, thanks to the fleetness of CaptainMouzon's steeds, were Percy and I.
My one thought was that to prove myself a worthy follower of such acommander, I must in this attack appear the equal of any man in theranks, and, having such aim in view, I urged the willing steed forward.
Percy was not minded to be left behind when there was a chance onemight be accused of timorousness, and side by side we rode as if on awager, soon outstripping all save two who were leading the advance.
These two were the major, our uncle, and Captain Mouzon, owner of thehorses we bestrode.
We four were well up to the edge of the encampment by the time Iunderstood we were comparatively alone, and not until then, when thefirst word was spoken, did I fully realize the situation.
"The Mouzon stables lead!" the captain cried triumphantly, thinkingeven at that moment of peril more about his horses than himself.
"But the tribe of James are riding them!" the major shouted, andthen, as if he had come up through the earth, a Tory horseman appeareddirectly in front of us.
Two pistols were discharged almost in our very faces--so near that themane of my horse was singed by the fire, and then this particular enemywas in full retreat.
"It is Major Gainey!" our leader shouted as he struck the spurs intohis steed, and before one had time to realize anything more we fourwere in the very midst of the Tory band, while around us, forming acircle of fire, were the flashes of burning powder.
With the Swamp Fox: A Story of General Marion's Young Spies Page 2
