CHAPTER IV.
THE STRUGGLE.
The first and most natural thought that came into the minds of theboys, as they turned to see their enemy standing in the doorway, wasthat he had discovered the flight, and, perhaps, counted on doingsomething toward checking it even now, when Sarah Dillard must havebeen a mile or more away.
Almost as soon as this idea presented itself, however, both realizedthat if the grinning Tory had even so much as a suspicion of the realstate of affairs he would be urging the troopers on in pursuit, ratherthan standing idly there.
The young scoundrel remained for an instant in the doorway enjoyinghis triumph, and Nathan found it difficult to repress a smile ofsatisfaction as he saw the spy thus unsuspicious, while Sarah Dillardwas speeding toward Greene's Spring to carry the warning which, iftold, would most likely save the lives of a hundred men.
Ephraim, firmly convinced that nothing could avert the fate shaped byhim for Colonel Clarke and his force, was enjoying the situation aspictured in his mind, to the utmost of his mean nature, and the boysalmost forgot they were prisoners in the pleasure born of theknowledge that the Tory might yet be outwitted.
"What are you fellows doing over there by the window?" Ephraim askedperemptorily after surveying the two in silence fully a moment.
"Have the Britishers any law or rule which forbids one deprived ofliberty from seeking fresh air whenever he may be so fortunate as toget an opportunity?" Nathan asked sharply.
"Hark you, Nathan Shelby, I am tired of hearing your long-windedspeeches, and we will have done with them from this out--at least, solong as I am the master."
"So long as you are the master!" Evan repeated in a tone of contempt."We haven't been aware that such was the case."
"Then you may know it now for a certainty. I am counting on you twotrying to escape, and therefore have come to stand guard in thisroom."
"And a valiant guard you will be, Ephraim Sowers, if your courage isno greater than it was one year ago, when you fled in hot haste fromwhat proved to be a turkey-cock, thinking you saw the head of anIndian among the weeds," Nathan said jeeringly, and the spy retortedangrily:
"Have a care over your tongue, my bold rebel! Matters have changednow from what they were forty-eight hours ago. You are among those whoobey the king, and do not allow sedition-breeders free rein of theirtongues."
"And now hark you, Master Sowers," Nathan cried, losing his tempersomewhat because of the air of authority which this fellow assumed."'Rebels and sedition-breeders' are names which have too much meaningin these days for you to let them fall so trippingly from your tongue!Have a care, you Tory sneak, lest even while acting the part of guardover your betters, you come to grief! I'm not minded to take manythreats from a coward and a spy."
"In this case, however, you will take whatsoever I choose to give,Nathan Shelby, for it needs only that I raise my voice to bring herethose who would shoot you down did you so much as lift your handagainst me."
"And it is such knowledge which makes you so wondrous brave," Evansaid with a laugh of scorn which did more to rouse the young spy'sanger than words could have done.
He struggled for an instant to speak; but stammered and hesitated asthe blood rushed into his face until, losing the last semblance ofpatience, he motioned for them to move back toward the window fromwhich they had just come.
"If this is what you mean, we are willing to take our stations herewithout your running the risk of bursting because of your own sense ofimportance," Nathan said as he moved back a few paces, Evan followingthe example. "Have a care, however, that you do not attempt to givesuch orders as we shall be indisposed to obey, lest it seem as if yourauthority amounted to nothing."
By this time Ephraim so far regained the mastery over himself as to beable to speak, and he cried in a fury:
"We'll soon see whether you dare disobey, and to that end I will keepyou busy for an hour or more, until you have learned that I am reallythe master. Now then, you rebels, remember that the king's troops arenear at hand to shoot you down at the first sign of insubordination,and take good heed to move exactly as I command."
Ephraim straightened his body with a consequential air, and stood foran instant as if reflecting upon how he had best prove his authority,while the two prisoners gazed at him in astonishment that he shouldthus dare trust himself unarmed alone with them.
"Stand straight and look me in the face!" he commanded. "If the day'smarch was not enough to break your spirits, we will see what a littleexercise will do for you now. Keep step, and travel around this roomuntil I give you permission to stop."
"Do you think we are to be bullied by such as you?" Nathan asked ingreat astonishment.
"If you think it is wise, refuse to do as I say, and before fiveminutes have gone by you will learn the result of disobedience."
Neither Evan nor Nathan moved, but stood looking inquiringly into eachother's eyes with an expression on their faces which would have warnedthe Tory of mischief had he been less deeply occupied with his ownfancied importance.
"Fall into line and march, or it will be the worse for you!" he cried,advancing threateningly with upraised hand until he was withinstriking distance of the prisoners, and for an instant it appeared asif he intended to inflict punishment then and there.
Whatever idea may have been in his mind cannot be said, yet it hardlyseems possible he would have attempted personal violence while alonewith those whom he had wronged, even though the soldiers were so nearat hand.
It is certain, however, the boys fully believed he would carry outthe implied threat, and without thinking of the possible consequences,or stopping to realize what might be the result if this spy wasroughly handled, as if with one accord they leaped upon him, Nathantaking the precaution of clapping his hand over the bully's mouth atthe first onset in such manner that it was impossible for him to speakor make an outcry.
Even a stronger lad than Ephraim Sowers would have gone down beforethis sudden attack as quickly as did he, and in a twinkling theprisoners held him upon the floor in such fashion that only one armremained free.
Evan sat upon his feet, while Nathan, in addition to covering hismouth, held his right arm firmly.
With his left hand Ephraim struck out to the best of his ability, butwithout accomplishing anything whatsoever, and he was permitted tothus thrash around, doing no harm to any save himself, until he hadbeen thoroughly wearied by the struggle.
"I reckon we have got time enough to teach you quite a lesson," Nathanwhispered with but slight show of anger. "You are supposed to beguarding us prisoners, and the redcoats will give little heed to youfor some hours to come. While we are alone you shall get a taste ofwhat you would deal out to others."
As a matter of course Ephraim made no reply, because it was impossibleso to do; but his captors could read in his eyes the threats histongue was powerless to utter.
"I know what you would say, my fine Tory spy. You have in your mindthe thought that we must in time let you up, and then it shall be yourturn, for the soldiers will be called in to perform what you fail indoing. How well would that plan work if we did our duty, and killedyou here and now? It is what should be done to a lad who, havingreceived nothing but favors in this section of the colony, betrays totheir death a hundred or more of his neighbors."
Anger had rapidly died out of Ephraim's eyes as Nathan spoke, for bythe tone of the latter, one would have said that he was in deadlyearnest, and really questioned whether or no it was not his duty totake this worthless life.
"It would not be a hard matter to let his life-blood out," Evan added,intent only on doing his share toward frightening the spy, "andperhaps it will be best even though he had not betrayed Colonel Clarkeand his men, for we can have a very fair idea of what he will be, oncepower is his."
"Find something with which to tie his feet and hands, and then we willcontrive a gag so that it is not necessary to sit over him in thisfashion."
Evan obeyed the command by tearing from the lad's hunt
ing-shirt two orthree strips of material sufficiently stout to resist all hisstruggles, and in a comparatively short space of time the Tory wasbound hand and foot, with one sleeve of his own garment stuffed insidehis mouth as a gag.
He was powerless now either to move or speak, and only when the workwas accomplished did the boys fully realize that they had, perhaps,injured themselves by thus temporarily turning the tables.
"It would have been better had we let him go his own gait," Evan saidin a whisper as he drew Nathan toward the window where the helplessTory could not overhear his words. "Of course we cannot hope to keephim here longer than morning, and it is hardly likely the redcoatswill suffer him to be absent so many hours without making certain heis safe. Once the troopers come we shall suffer for this bit ofpleasantry."
"They are not like to put in an appearance for several hours yet,more especially if the villain gave out that he would stand guarduntil weary of the sport."
"Yet the end must finally come."
Nathan started as if a sudden thought had flashed upon him, and turnedquickly toward the window as he seized one of the heavy bars.
"Have you any idea that it might be possible to pull that down?" Evanasked wonderingly.
"Hark you, lad," and now Nathan appeared like one laboring under greatexcitement. "Why might we not escape? The Britishers will have no carefor us while it is believed that sneak is acting as sentinel, and ifone of these bars could be removed, we might count on at least anhour's start."
"But there is no hope of our being able to remove the barrier."
"Who shall say until it has been tried?"
"I am certain that with our bare hands we might tug and strain untilmorning without so much as loosening one of the fastenings."
It was as if this suggestion excited Nathan to a yet more brilliantflight of fancy in the line of escape, for suddenly he darted towardthe door where he stood a moment in the attitude of a listener, andthen retracing his steps, whispered to Evan:
"It is almost certain the Britishers are on the floor below. This Toryhas the key of the door in his pocket----"
"Surely you are not thinking of attempting to make your way down pastall those who have taken possession of the house?"
"By no means; yet what will prevent our venturing into some of thechambers nearby, where perchance we shall find what will serve as alever to remove these bars."
Evan seized his comrade's hands ecstatically. There was every reasonto believe such a venture might be made, and without waiting todiscuss it he began searching Ephraim's pockets for the key.
This was soon found. A bulky iron instrument fashioned by hand, andmostlike brought from the mother country, it could not well beconcealed.
Cautiously, lest the slightest grating of the iron should give thealarm, the boys shot the bolt back; the door was opened, and they wereat last free of the upper portion of the house.
It was not safe to loiter in their work, however, for at any momentsome one might come from below to ascertain what Ephraim was doing,and the boys moved as swiftly as they did noiselessly until, whenhardly more than a minute had elapsed, they had in their possessionsuch tools as it seemed positive would enable them to effect thepurpose.
An old musket barrel, and a strip of oak which went to make up aquilting-frame, were the articles which the lads brought into theroom, carefully barring the door behind them and replacing the key inEphraim's pocket.
These implements would serve to pry off the bars of the window, butwhether it might be done silently or not was a matter that could onlybe determined by experiment.
The helpless spy was watching their every movement, and by bendingover him now and then the lads could see, even in the gloom, anexpression of anger in his eyes.
He must have realized now that the chances in favor of their escapewere brought about wholly through his desire to gloat over those whomhe believed were in his power.
It can readily be believed, however, that the two lads did not spendmuch time upon the spy. Had there been a possibility of taking himwith them, they would have run many risks in order to accomplish sucha purpose; but since that was out of the question, and he powerlessfor harm during a certain time at least, they could not afford towaste precious moments upon him.
"I will use this bar as a lever, and do you stand by with themusket-barrel to hold such advantage as may be gained," Nathan said."It is reasonable to suppose there will be some creaking as the nailsare forced out; but that we cannot prevent."
"Work as cautiously as may be possible, for we have ample time."
The lower bar was within three inches of the window-ledge, and uponthis Nathan determined to direct his efforts, since it would probablybe the most easily removed.
The stout quilting-frame was inserted beneath it edgewise, whichbrought one end some distance into the room, the window-ledge servingas a fulcrum.
Evan stood near at hand, ready with the musket-barrel in case ashorter lever could be used to better advantage, and, after listeningfor an instant to make certain that none of the enemy were nearabouton the outside, the boys began that work which it was hoped would openthe door to freedom.
Slowly and steadily the bar was raised upward as the hand-fashionednails bent under the strain, and then came a creaking as the iron wasdrawn through the wood; not loud, but sounding in the ears of theanxious lads to be of such volume that it seemed positive an alarmwould be given.
Both ceased their efforts, and stood near the window listening.
No unusual sounds betokened that the redcoats had heard the warningnoise.
All was still save for the sounds of revelry in the apartment below,and the hum of the soldiers' voices nearabout the stables on the otherside of the dwelling.
"Try it again," Evan whispered with feverish eagerness. "We haveraised it half an inch already, and as much more of a strain willleave it in such shape that it can be readily pushed aside."
Nathan did as his comrade suggested, and save for a slight creaking now and then, the work was carried on.--Page 91.]
Nathan did as his comrade suggested, and save for a slight creakingnow and then, the work was carried on in almost perfect silence untilthe bar hung only by the points of the nails.
It remained simply to force it outward with their hands, at the sametime preventing it from falling to the ground.
With this removed, the aperture would be sufficiently large to admitof their crawling through, and the time had come, thanks to the spywho would have taken their lives had his power been sufficient, thatthey might follow on the trail of Sarah Dillard to Greene's Spring, ifher mad ride had not led her to death elsewhere.
"There is no reason why we should waste any time here," Evan saidhurriedly, nervous now that the moment for action had arrived. "Theredcoats may come at any moment to see how their spy is faring, and itwould be a grievous disappointment to find ourselves checked at theinstant when it seems as if we were freed."
"I have got just one word to say to that Tory villain, and then I amready," Nathan replied. "Do you push off the bar, taking good carethat it does not drop from your hands, while I warn him of what willsurely be his fate if he continues on the road he has chosen."
Evan acted upon this suggestion as Nathan kneeled by the side ofEphraim and whispered:
"You can have the satisfaction of knowing that we would yet be fastprisoners but for your having come to bully us. Until the moment youthreatened to strike I had no idea escape would be possible; but theopportunity has arrived, and we shall take advantage of it. Now harkyou, Master Sowers, and remember all I say, for there be more thanEvan and I who will carry out this threat. Continue your spying uponthe Americans, serve the Britishers longer, and you shall be markedfor what may be worse than death. When the life of such as you isnecessary in the cause of freedom no one would hesitate to take it,coward and sneak though you be. Turn about from your ways this moment,or expect that the hand of every Mountain Man and every Americansoldier will be against you."
; Ephraim twisted about as if it would have pleased him right well couldhe have spoken at that moment, but the gag choked his words, and heperforce remained silent however much he would have liked to use hisvoice.
Then all was ready for the flight.
The bar had been removed, and Evan stood beside the window impatientto be off, fearing each instant lest one of the enemy should ascendthe stairs.
"Go you ahead," Nathan whispered, "and if when you reach the groundthe redcoats appear, do your best to make good your escape, thinkingnot of me."
"I will never desert a comrade."
"You must in this case, if it so be opportunity for flight presentsitself. It is not your life nor mine, Evan, which is of moment now. Wemust remember only those who are in such great peril, for I have manydoubts as to whether Sarah Dillard can force that colt over themountain road. Hesitate no longer; but set out, and from this instantcease to think of anything save that you are to arrive at ColonelClarke's encampment without loss of time."
Thus urged, Evan delayed no longer than was necessary, but a certainnumber of seconds were spent in the effort to force his body throughthe narrow aperture, because of the awkward position which thecircumstances demanded.
With Nathan's help he pushed his feet through first, and when half hisbody was outside, allowed himself to slip down at the expense ofsevere scratching from the bar, which yet remained in position above,until he hung by his hands on the window-ledge.
"The distance is not great," Nathan whispered encouragingly, "and youshould be able to drop without making much noise. Do not speak onceyou are on the ground; but get behind the smaller stable as soon asmay be, and if in five minutes I do not join you, push on towardGreene's Spring alone."
"You will not delay?"
"Not so much as a minute. Now drop."
A slight jar, such as might have been made by a child leaping from aheight of ten feet, was all that came back to the anxious listener atthe window to tell of his comrade's movements, and then he in turnset about following the example.
Now it was that Ephraim made strenuous efforts to free himself.
He writhed to and fro on the floor as if bending all his energies tobreak the bonds which confined his limbs, and so fearful was Nathanlest the Tory spy should succeed in his purpose, that he turned backto make certain the boy was yet helpless.
"I am almost tempted to pay off the score 'twixt you and I beforeleaving; but it would be cowardly to strike one who is helpless, Isuppose," the lad said half to himself, and then turned resolutely, asif finding it difficult to resist the temptation, setting off on theroad to freedom.
It was not as easy to force himself out between the ledge and the baras in the case of Evan, because of his being considerably larger, andthe clothing was literally torn from his back before he was finallyin a position where nothing more was required than to drop to theground.
It appeared to him as if he made double as much noise as had hiscomrade, and before daring to creep across the stable-yard to therendezvous agreed upon, he remained several seconds on the alert forthe slightest sound betokening the movements of the Britishers.
No unusual noise came upon his ear, and saying to himself that it washardly possible he and Evan had succeeded in making their escape withso little difficulty, he pushed cautiously forward until, when he waswithin the gloom of the building, his comrade seized him by the hands.
This was no time for conversation, nor was it the place in which toloiter. Advantage must be taken of every second from this instantuntil they had carried the warning to Colonel Clarke's men, or learnedthat Sarah Dillard had succeeded in her ride, and Nathan pressedEvan's hand in token that they should push forward without delay.
The direct trail was well defined, and the boys struck into it anhundred yards or more from the stable, when Nathan whisperedtriumphantly:
"Now that we have succeeded in making our escape, Evan, it is only aquestion of endurance, and we must not think of self until afterhaving met Sarah Dillard, or had speech with Colonel Clarke."