CHAPTER IX.
KING'S MOUNTAIN.
Having brought Ephraim Sowers into that frame of mind where he couldbe utilized, Nathan made the pretense of consulting with Evan as tothe advisability of accepting the spy's information.
"If Evan will agree to it, we may promise that you shall not be givenup to Colonel Clarke's men, although, as a matter of course, we haveno intention of setting you at liberty."
"All I ask is that you put me under the charge of Colonel CharlesMcDowells, you promising me in his name that I shall receive the sametreatment as any other prisoner."
"It is a great deal you are asking, Ephraim Sowers, after all you havedone and tried to do; but it may be that we can arrange it. Come thisway, Evan," and Nathan stepped aside a few paces to give the Tory anidea that considerable argument would be necessary in order to inducehis comrade to enter into the agreement.
"Can we believe what he says?" Evan asked when he and Nathan stood atsuch a distance from the prisoner that their words could not beoverheard.
"I do not understand how he would dare to tell a lie. When our menadvance it will be known if he has given the correct information, andwe will make it plain that should he tell us anything which was provento be incorrect, then our promises are withdrawn."
"Go on, and arrange the matter as soon as you can, for no one can saywhen some of the redcoats may come this way on a scout, and if weshould chance to fall into the hands of the enemy now, I think thatTory sneak would kill us, if the murder could be compassed."
The two remained as if in conversation a moment longer, and thenreturning to the terrified spy, Nathan said in a solemn tone:
"We have agreed that if you give us all the information in your powerconcerning Major Ferguson's force, and you claim to know everythingregarding it, we will carry you as prisoner to Evan's father,promising in his name that you shall be treated the same as anyBritisher that might be captured. Should, however, it be discoveredthat you played us false in the slightest detail, it will be the sameas if our promise had not been given, and you will be turned over toColonel Clarke's men."
"I am not likely to tell that which is not true when my life dependsupon the truth," Ephraim said in a tone which convinced his hearersthat, perhaps for the first time in his life, he was resolved to makea correct statement.
"Well," Evan said impatiently after a brief pause. "Why don't youbegin?"
"What shall I tell you?"
"How many men has Major Ferguson?"
"I must not be held as to the truth of numbers, for I only know what Iheard a commissary sergeant say, which was that there were elevenhundred and twenty all told upon the mountain."
"What mountain?"
"The force is encamped on the summit of King's Mountain, which isabout twelve miles north of the Cherokee Ford."
"How far from here?"
"I should say less than an hour's march."
"Have the troops any other weapons than muskets?"
"No."
"How many are the king's soldiers, and how many Tories?"
"There are not above two hundred of his majesty's troops."
"Have you any idea why the major chanced to take that place as anencampment?"
"Our scouts have brought in the word that the rebels were gathering inlarge numbers, and the major established his camp where it could notwell be attacked."
"How long has he been there?"
"Two days."
"Do you know if he intends making a move soon?"
"I have heard it said in the camp that we were like to stay there along while--at least until reinforcements can be sent by GeneralCornwallis."
"Beside the men who came out with you on the trail, how many arescouting around in this neighborhood?"
"There are perhaps twenty who set out this morning."
"Are they soldiers or Tories?"
"I suppose you would call them Tories, but nevertheless they areroyalists."
"There is a distinction without a difference in those terms,Ephraim," Nathan said grimly, "but I'll venture to say there are veryfew who are both Tory and spy, with an inclination to bring death uponthose who had befriended them."
"In taking to Major Ferguson information as to Colonel Clarke's forceI only did my duty, for I was serving the king, and should look uponall those who offer armed resistance to his laws as enemies."
"You were not so strict in your allegiance last winter, when youbegged for food."
Ephraim winced but made no reply, and Evan said thoughtfully:
"It appears to me we have gotten all the information he has to give,and it stands us in hand to return to camp as soon as may be, if youthink we are justified in pinning our faith upon his statements."
"I swear that I have told you only the truth," Ephraim cried,beginning to fear lest his captors might recede from the positionthey had taken.
"If there are twenty Britishers scouting around the mountain I do notbelieve we can learn any more than he has told us," Nathan said halfto himself, "and it appears to me as if we had good reason forbelieving our mission had been fulfilled."
"Then let us lose no time in retracing our steps, for there yetremains twenty-six or twenty-seven miles to be traversed nightfall."
"Where are your forces encamped?" Ephraim asked.
"At the Cowpens, on Broad River. I heard Captain Depuyster say, whenit was told him that some of the rebels--I mean your friends--weregathered there, that it was twenty-eight miles away."
"Then you know the exact distance it is necessary for you to walkbefore sunset," Nathan replied. "We shall not be so cruel as toconfine your arms, but you must march not more than three paces inadvance of us, and remember, Ephraim Sowers, if you make any movementwhich has the appearance as if you were trying to give us the slip, weshall fire with intent to kill, and at such short range there can belittle doubt as to the accuracy of our aim. Are you ready, Evan?"
"Yes, and the sooner we set out the better I shall be pleased."
But for the fact that the young Tory was dependent upon these two forhis life, he would have remonstrated against being forced to make solong and hurried a journey; but under the circumstances he did notdare say a single word which might sound like a complaint.
He waited meekly until Nathan pointed out the direction to be pursued,and then set off as if eager to arrive at the destination, his captorsmeanwhile keeping their eyes upon him and being on the alert for anyattempt at escape.
There is little to tell regarding this long tramp, a portion of whichwas made through the thicket, and the remainder over the trail, saveto say that both the prisoner and his captors were nearly exhaustedbefore it came to an ending.
Twice only did they halt, and then not more than ten minutes at atime, lest by remaining quiet too long their wearied limbs shouldbecome stiffened.
Evan and Nathan had brought with them a scanty supply of food, andthis they shared with Ephraim; but it was so small in quantity that itserved hardly more than to whet their appetites, and when, shortlyafter sunset, they were arrived at the American encampment, it seemedto all three as if they were literally on the verge of exhaustion.
The coming of the boys was hailed with shouts of joy by the men, andwhen it was learned who they brought with them as prisoner, itappeared much as if the promise Ephraim's captors had made would availhim nothing.
Before they could make their way to Colonel McDowells' quarters thethree were surrounded by a throng of hungry men, who insisted that theTory should be hanged offhand for his crime; and but little attentionwas paid to the entreaties of Nathan and Evan, who announced again andagain that they had pledged their word for his safety.
"We have sworn that he shall be put into the custody of ColonelCharles McDowells, and trusting in our word he has given us valuableinformation concerning the enemy," Nathan cried at the full strengthof his lungs, when the throng became so great that they were forced tocome to a halt.
"Hang the spy! He is one who brought Ferguson's troopers down toG
reene's Spring that Clarke's men might be massacred. Hang him!"
Ephraim kneeled upon the ground, clinging to the legs of the boys,alternately praying that they would guard him and reminding them ofthe promises made.
"Although he merits death we will keep faith with him, and he who laysa hand on the Tory must first dispose of us!" Evan cried.
The men were in no mood to listen to reason, and it is more thanlikely the boys would have failed in their purpose but that ColonelWilliam Campbell, hearing the tumult, came quickly up to learn thecause.
Hurriedly and in the fewest possible words Nathan explained thesituation of affairs, and Ephraim's life was saved for the time being,for the colonel, calling for the Virginia force, formed a guard aroundthe prisoner and his captors, holding the mob in check until all werearrived at Colonel McDowells' quarters.
Here Ephraim was delivered to Evan's father and Colonel JamesWilliams, and these two officers decided that the young scouts hadacted wisely in returning, for they placed every dependence in thestatements made by Ephraim, who, as Colonel Williams said, "had forthe first time the truth frightened out of him."
The lads were directed to go in search of food, and when, an hourlater, they returned to Colonel McDowells' quarters, Ephraim wasnowhere to be seen.
"What have you done with the Tory?" Evan asked, fearing for theinstant lest his father had forgotten that their word was pledged forhis safe keeping.
"It was best he should not remain in camp, for the men were grown soexcited that I doubt if I could have held them in check. Your spy hasbeen sent away where we can make certain he will be held in safecustody."
Then the colonel asked for the details of the journey just ended, andwhen this had been given, he startled them by saying:
"Since receiving the information from Ephraim Sowers, it has beendecided that we will set out at once in pursuit of the enemy, lestMajor Ferguson change his plans, and lead us a long chase. We havenine hundred men well mounted, and these will start within an hour,continuing the march until they shall come up with the enemy;meanwhile the footmen, and those whose animals are not in the best ofcondition, will follow as fast as possible."
"Do you intend to attack the Britishers, intrenched as they are on themountain?" Evan asked in surprise.
"Ay, lad, we will set upon them wherever they may be found, and whipthem too, till there shall be no more left of this force which hascome to lay waste the country with fire and sword."
"But what of Nathan and I?" Evan asked anxiously. "Are we to be leftbehind?"
"It is time you had some rest, lads, and better you should followwith those who march afoot."
"In that case, sir, we might miss the battle," Nathan interrupted.
"Perhaps it were better if you did."
"We have thought, sir, Evan and I, that because of working hard forthe cause, we would be given the first opportunity to show what wemight do."
"And you are eager to go into the combat?" Colonel McDowells asked ofhis son.
"It would sadden me if I was not allowed to do so, sir, although, as Ihave confessed to Nathan several times, I fear my courage may failme."
"If it does, you will be the first McDowells who has shown the whitefeather, and perhaps it is time we should know whether you are of theright strain. You shall ride with the advance forces," ColonelMcDowells said decidedly, and then turned away.