CHAPTER IV.
THE RESCUE.
When Sidney had thus announced his purpose I asked myself what mightbe the chances of success, and after due reflection it appeared to meas if the possibilities were rather in his favor, because it did notseem probable the royalists would anticipate any attempt at a rescue.
They must have overheard the command given us to ride back with allspeed, and could hardly suppose two lads like ourselves would take thechances of making an attack, therefore we were likely to find them offtheir guard.
Yes, so I decided, the scheme might be worked if we proceedcautiously, and even in case we found it impossible to do anything,the delay would be trifling, provided Sidney was willing to give overthe effort if a rescue could not be brought about that same night,therefore I asked:
"Will you agree to set your horse's head toward Maddock's Mill bysunrise, in case you fail in the purpose during this night?"
"Yes, that much I promise, for I'm of the opinion that unless the workcan be done before to-morrow morning there is no chance for us tocarry it through without assistance."
"Then I shall do what I may toward aiding you."
He clasped me by the hand, saying as he did so:
"I knew full well you would not ride away and leave me to make theventure alone."
"I am taking no part in it save as your assistant. You are the leader,and I shall simply obey orders, because I have no head for such work,while you are a born soldier."
Sidney laughed loud and long at my words, and said when it waspossible for him to speak:
"Now you are talking nonsense. If we free Masters Howell and Hunterfrom the governor's friends, it will simply be a case of good fortune,rather than anything deserved because of the intellect brought to bearon the matter. Let us make camp here for a time; the horses need restand food."
"Are you not afraid that our enemies will get too much the start onus?"
"I am reckoning that we were near their camping-place when the twoshowed themselves. If they count on carrying our friends back toHillsborough to give them quarters with Masters Husband and WilliamHunter, this road is the one they must take, and we shall see theparty ride by. In case they have a comfortable halting place, I amcounting that the return journey will not be begun until to-morrowmorning."
I understood from this remark that Sidney had already settled all thedetails in his mind, and, therefore, since I refused to take any partin making his plans, there was nothing for me to do save patientlyhold my tongue.
We unsaddled the horses, led them into the forest where was a smallclearing covered with rich grass, and made a hearty dinner forourselves from the contents of our haversacks.
When this was done we had nothing with which to occupy our attention,save the task of keeping watch over the highway to make certain theenemy did not pass without our knowledge.
Although I had so readily agreed to aid my comrade, I was far fromfeeling comfortable in mind regarding the outcome. I knew full wellthat even in event of success we must run many chances of losing ourlives, for now that the royalists had begun to make prisoners ofcitizens of the Carolinas without legal warrant, they would nothesitate to take the lives of two lads who might interfere with theirplans.
To risk our lives in a battle where glory might be won, was one thing;but to be killed like thieves in the night, when none of our friendswould be able to say whether we died like heroes or cowards was quiteanother matter.
Do not let it be understood that I was regretting having agreed to theventure; on the contrary, I would have acted in the same manner hadthe question been put at that late moment, yet I weighed thepossibilities once more, and found them less promising than when firstconsidering the proposition.
We did not indulge in conversation to any extent during thatafternoon. Now and then Sidney spoke of the treachery displayed byMaster Edwards, and the possible fate of the deputies in case wefailed to rescue them; but for the greater portion of the time weremained silent, each giving way, perhaps, to gloomy forebodings.
The sun was no more than an hour high when my comrade said as he roseto his feet and set off toward the clearing where the horses had beenleft:
"I reckon the time has come for us to make a start. We'll ride to theplace where the villains met us, and then you shall take to the woodswith the horses, while I follow the trail on foot."
"Why should we not boldly ride down the road until we find ourselvessomewhere near their camping-place?" I asked, even after havingpromised myself to take no part in the plan of rescue.
"Because I'm of the opinion that we shall find the villains withinhalf a mile or less of where we were halted, and it would be a mostserious mistake to let them see us."
As he had proposed so we did, and I soon had good reason forcongratulating myself that my advice was not taken.
The hoof-prints of the horses told us plainly when we were come to thescene of the encounter, and then, leading both animals, I struck intothe woods, advancing slowly because of the underbrush, while mycomrade pushed rapidly ahead.
The night had not yet come when Sidney returned, and as Iinvoluntarily came to a halt he whispered:
"They are camped half a mile further on. There are six horses picketednear by, in addition to those ridden by the deputies, therefore Ireckon that the odds are not heavily against us."
"Did you see our friends?"
"Yes; they are in a lean-to, tied, and guarded by the negro. We cantake the horses within two hundred yards of the place, where is a goodbit of grass which will keep them quiet; but it is well to wait here acouple of hours."
Once more we came to a halt, and while waiting until the time foraction should come I asked Sidney to tell me how he proposed to setabout the rescue.
"I shall find no fault with your plans, for you are the leader; but itis necessary I know fully your purpose, in order to play my partproperly."
"We'll leave our horses hobbled, so that we may unfasten them quickly.Then, say in two hours, you and I are to creep around to where theiranimals are tethered. We must procure two, with saddles and bridles,and bring them to where ours are. Not till then are we to give thedeputies any idea of our having disobeyed orders. We should be able toget them away safely, and a start of five minutes will be enough. Therising of the moon is to be our signal for work."
"What about the negro who is on guard?"
"Unless he is different from every other black I ever saw, he will beasleep. If not, or if one of the white men has taken his place, wemust fall upon him in such a way that he can make no noise, afterwhich a gag will do the rest."
"Where are the others?"
"In a lean-to nearer the road, and a good fifty yards from where ourfriends are lying."
The two hours which followed were the longest I have ever known,although since that time I have been engaged in many and moredangerous ventures. Each second seemed like a minute, and I began tothink that we had been mistaken in the belief that the moon rose atten minutes past nine o'clock. The soughing of the wind through thetrees sounded in my ears like a prophecy of evil, and the cry of anight-bird came to me like the shout of an enemy.
Had we been forced to remain there inactive an hour longer, I believeof a verity that the courage would have oozed out of my finger-endsentirely; but, fortunately, before I was overcome by timorousness thetime for action had arrived.
Sidney led the way through the underbrush, gliding noiselessly alongas if we were stalking a deer, and I copied his every movement.
In order to get at the horses we were forced to make a detour throughthe forest to the rear of the place where the deputies were heldprisoners, and this required a good half hour of most laborious work.
Once we were there, however, it became evident that the royalistscounted on beginning a journey very shortly, for the animals were notonly saddled, but bridled, and we understood that the remainder of ourtask must be performed quickly, or it might chance that our enemiestook to the road before we could warn Masters Howell a
nd Hunter of thehelp which was near at hand.
Now we did not dare carry our plan to the extent of taking the animalsover to where our steeds were hobbled; but fastened them by thebridles in the rear of the lean-to, and then crept cautiously forward.
It was so dark in this place, owing to the foliage, that although themoon was half an inch high, we could not distinguish objects fivepaces distant, and Sidney let the way by the sense of touch, ratherthan because of any aid from his eyes.
When we were close at the rear of the lean-to I could hear the soundof heavy breathing; but nothing more, and Sidney whispered in my ear:
"I will make my way through the brush, and you are to wait here. If Ishould be captured, do your best to carry the information to Maddock'sMill. Don't try to aid me."
I made up my mind on the instant that I would do my full share in afight before leaving the brave lad to his fate, and as the thoughtformed itself in my mind he disappeared through the branches whichwent to make up the shelter.
I listened with painful intentness; but could hear no more than afaint rustling of the brush, and then a man crept slowly out into myarms.
It was Master Howell, and when I would have conducted him to where thehorses were tethered, he motioned for me to remain quiet.
Another moment of most painful suspense, during which my heart beat soloudly that it seemed certain our enemies would be aroused by thenoise, and then Master Hunter appeared, followed closely by Sidney.
We four crept softly to where the two horses were standing, and mycomrade explained to the deputies that we must keep within the thicketuntil having come to where our steeds had been left.
"We had best turn in the other direction, keeping under cover untilyou ride by, when we can dash out," Master Howell said, and I wasmystified by his words.
"But we shall not ride past here," Sidney replied in a cautious tone."To do so would be going directly away from Maddock's Mill!"
"Our destination is Brunswick," Master Howell said, as if that wassufficient explanation.
"Brunswick!" I repeated in astonishment. "Surely you are not countingon trying to continue the journey after all that has happened?"
"Of a verity we are," Master Hunter said emphatically. "It is not inour minds to ride back with the story that we allowed ourselves to befrightened by six men after two lads have shown themselves so braveand so quick-witted. Go for your horses, and, having mounted them,ride directly out on the main road, moving cautiously until arrivingopposite where these scoundrels are encamped. Then use your spurs; wewill join you some distance on."
"But think of the danger which you incur!" I pleaded, although itwould have been more seemly for a lad like myself to keep a silenttongue and obey orders.
"We count on presenting this petition to the governor if it bepossible to arrive at Brunswick," Master Howell said sharply, andthen, by way of putting an end to the conversation, the gentlemenbegan leading the animals back past the lean-to from which we had solately rescued them.
There was nothing left for Sidney and I but to perform the partsassigned us, although I am certain there was much the same thought inhis mind that filled mine, which was that the latter portion of thisventure would be needlessly dangerous and ill-advised.
We did not speak one with another, however, until we had found ourhorses and made them ready for the journey, when Sidney said solemnly:
"If I had fancied the deputies would have continued on towardBrunswick, of a verity we would be well toward Maddock's Mill by thistime. Even if we two get past the camp in safety, we're likely to fallinto the hands of others who are ready and willing to deprive honestmen of their liberty."
But for the fact that the deputies awaited our coming as the signalfor them to come out of the forest into the road, I would have urgedmy comrade to leave them then and there that we might save our ownskins by joining the members of the Regulation, wherever they might beby this time.
Then, feeling in our hearts that there was no good reason for exposingourselves to this additional danger, we led the steeds down the roadto a point, as nearly as Sidney could determine, opposite theencampment of the enemies.
We mounted in silence, and loosened our weapons that they might beready to hand, after which Sidney started with a rush.
It can well be fancied that I clapped the spurs to my horse, for thehindermost in this race was likely to be the one who would sufferseverely, and we clattered past the camp at the best possible speed.
When a mile or more had been traversed we heard the hoof-beats ofhorses both before and behind, telling that the deputies had taken tothe road, and also that the royalists were in full pursuit.
Masters Howell and Hunter must have checked the speed of their steedssomewhat in order to allow us to come up, after which all four settleddown to such a race as I never rode before, for liberty, perhaps likeitself, was the stake.
Not until our horses were so nearly blown that it became absolutelynecessary, did we draw rein, and then it was no longer possible tohear the sounds of pursuit.
"We have out-ridden them, that is all," Master Howell said in a quiettone, as if he was not greatly interested in the final result. "Wewill give the nags time to breathe, and then push on again. For a timeour traveling must be done by night."
"If you count so surely that there are others on the road who will tryto prevent us from gaining Brunswick, why is it not reasonable tosuppose Governor Tryon may play us false?" I asked timidly, for Ifeared the gentlemen might think me a coward, and yet was I determinedthey should discuss the possible dangers which awaited us at thejourney's end.
"I think it very likely he will treat us as rebels rather thandeputies," Master Howell replied quietly.
"And yet you make every effort to give him the opportunity?" I criedin dismay.
"Aye, lad. We accepted the mission, and having done so it became ourbounden duty to perform it whatever might be the result. Before thepeople of the Carolinas can force the representatives of the king totreat us fairly and honestly, many a good gentleman must come togrief, and it is not for us to hold back."
There was no reply to be made to such a remark as this, and I wouldhave held my peace but that the gentlemen insisted on being told whywe had worked to rescue them, instead of pushing on toward Maddock'sMill.
"All the credit belongs to Sidney," I replied, determined that mycomrade should have the praise. He argued that we would be wasting butlittle time by trying to effect a rescue, and in case of failure wecould have carried out your orders within six hours from the momentthey were given.
Sidney claimed that he could not have made the attempt unless I hadbeen willing to remain with him, and regarding this we fell into quitea discussion, which lasted until we heard once more the trampling ofhorses in the distance.
It was high time we continued the race, and, the horses having hadquite a breathing spell, we sent them ahead once more at their bestpace.
After this we stopped twice to give the animals water, and once tobreathe them, before the gray light told that a new day was upon us.
Then it was that Master Howell proposed we take to the thicket, andafter we were screened by the trees we led the horses a mile or moreparallel with the road. Then we crossed over to the other side,taking good care to cover such hoof-prints as had been left on thehighway.
After these precautions it seemed as if we might consider ourselvesreasonably well hidden from those who came in pursuit, and surely Iwas not sorry of an opportunity for rest.
We had been in the saddle not less than eighteen hours, and during sixor seven hours more were so strung up by excitement that it was as ifwe had been two days without repose.
Fortunately the deputies had not been despoiled of their haversackswhen taken prisoners, therefore we had food sufficient to provide uswith one hearty meal, and this we ate immediately after the horseswere picketed where was grass in abundance.
Not until we were eating did Sidney ask Masters Howell and Hunteranything concerning their adventu
re, and soon we were in possession ofall the facts.
The deputies, finding themselves opposed by six horsemen, surrenderedimmediately after Sidney and I rode away. They were asked noquestions, nor was there an attempt to search them. The royalist ledthe prisoners to the lean-to, tied their hands and feet, and left themin charge of the negro, giving orders for him to shoot with intent tokill if either made any effort to cry out for help in case travelerspassed that way.
Neither Master Howell nor Master Hunter had any definite idea as towhat the scoundrels intended to do with them; but both believed thatbut for the rescue they would have been taken to Hillsborough andthere lodged in jail on a charge of sedition or treason.
"Yes, I recognized one of them," Master Howell said in reply to myquestion. "He who appeared to be the leader I have seen in Fanning'soffice, therefore there was no question in my mind but that the partyset out from Hillsborough in advance of us. Some one at Maddock's Millplayed the traitor."
"Why did they wish to prevent you from presenting the petition toGovernor Tryon?" I asked in amazement.
"I do not believe that was their purpose. It could make but littledifference if Tryon heard of our wrongs; but it might create asentiment in our favor among the honest people of Brunswick if we toldthere what has occurred at Hillsborough. The scheme unquestionably wasto prevent information of the outrages being carried into the lowerCarolina."
"Do you think we are in danger from others?" I asked.
"Probably not, yet we will travel by night from this out in order toguard against a possible attack. If those fellows sent word ahead thatwe were on the road and must be stopped, then will there be men readyto detain us; but I am disposed to think that they believed it was intheir power to bring our journey to a close, and we shall meet with noserious impediment between here and Brunswick."
"The governor may close our mouths by sending us to prison as traitorsto the king," Sidney suggested.
"We shall take good care, my lad, to talk with many citizens ofBrunswick before presenting ourselves before him. If it is knowngenerally that we are in town as deputies from the Regulation, whohave come in consequence of certain promises made by the governor'ssecretary, I do not believe even William Tryon will dare cause ourarrest without first showing some proof that we are plotting againstthe king. He will commit deeds in Hillsborough which he would beafraid to commit in Brunswick or Newbern."
"In other words," Master Hunter added with a laugh, "we are thrustingour heads in the lion's mouth because we believe he dare not make ameal of us until after we have gone back into upper Carolina."
With this the conversation came to a close. Master Howell insistedthat we must get all the sleep possible before nightfall, and to suchend he proposed that we draw lots to decide who should first go onguard, after which the others were to lie down.
No one questioned the necessity of standing watch. In the first placethe horses were to be prevented from straying, and then again it wasof the highest importance we should know if a party of horsemen rodepast our camping place toward Brunswick, otherwise we might findourselves following the enemy, instead of being followed.
It was decided by lot that I take the first watch, and at the end oftwo hours Master Howell was to be aroused.
Those who had the privilege of sleeping soon stretched themselves outin the most comfortable positions that were possible, and ten minuteslater I was the only member of the party awake.
The Boy Spies with the Regulators Page 4
