CHAPTER IV.
SAMUEL LEE.
Had Gavin Witherspoon been less strange in his manner, I should havetaken little heed of his joining us in the mission with which we hadbeen entrusted by General Marion, because the old man was often givento whims, and this could well have been considered as simply a fancy onhis part to indulge in the love for adventure.
If he had contented himself with vague words concerning the possibledanger, neither Percy nor I would have paid any particular attentionto him, believing he simply magnified the peril in order that it mightappear as if he counted on being able to protect us.
His manner, however, was so exceeding odd--I can find no wordwhich comes nearer explaining it--that I believed at once he was inpossession of some knowledge which we did not share, and therefore hadgood reason for crediting all he said.
A year later, perhaps, after I had had more experience in what somegentlemen are pleased to call the "art of warfare," I might have heldmy peace, trusting in our ability to ward off such dangers as shouldarise, but then, ignorant as we were of a soldier's life, the old man'sactions impressed me disagreeably, as I have said already, and I wasminded to demand from him an explanation.
Never before had I found it a difficult matter to gain speech withGavin Witherspoon, for the old man was prone to indulge in conversationregardless of suitable opportunity or place; but on this morningPercy and I found it necessary to ride at full speed in order to comealongside our self-appointed guardian, and we were, perhaps, fivemiles from the camp when I finally succeeded in forcing him to open hismouth.
"If you count to ride with us, Master Witherspoon, and claim that it isyour purpose to protect Percy and I, we at least have the right to knowwhy such an escort is considered necessary."
"That I have already explained," the old man replied curtly, and wouldhave spurred ahead of us once more but that Percy caught his bridlerein, as he said sharply:
"We are minded, Gavin Witherspoon, to know the meaning of yourmysterious words and odd behavior. If it so be you know more concerningthe enemy than is told among the men of our brigade, let us hear itnow, that my brother and I may be in some degree prepared for comingevents."
"I have ridden with the command, and had no more means of gaininginformation than others. What may be in my mind has come there throughwhat I call sound commonsense."
"And you have reasoned out that we are in greater danger than we werefour and twenty hours ago?" I said with a laugh, beginning to feelsomewhat of relief in my mind by this discovery, as I believed, thatthe old man's fears were the result of his own imagination.
He must have read in the tone of my voice somewhat of that in my mind,for, reining in his horse, he wheeled around to face Percy and myselfas he replied, speaking slowly and with exceeding earnestness:
"It was known to the leaders of our brigade that Captain Barfield had aforce of Tories nearabout Dubose Ferry. Think you Major Gainey and hismen did not have the same information?"
"Of course they did," I replied, wondering greatly what the old manwould come at.
"It is no more of a journey from Pedee Swamp to Dubose Ferry, than fromwhere we halted for breakfast."
Again he paused as if waiting some reply; but neither Percy nor Ispoke, for as yet we failed to understand what he was trying to convey.
"Major Gainey's force has lost an outfit, since our people tookpossession of it, and must, therefore, seek another encampment. Doyou believe they will be content to remain in the swamp, knowin' theirfriends are near at hand?"
"It would be reasonable that they rode in the direction of the Ferry,"Percy said, an expression of deepest seriousness chasing away the smilewhich had been upon his lips.
"Very well. Since you allow that, there is no need for me to say more.It is the general belief that Gainey had near to two thousand men withhim, an' think you they will not fight, however much cowardice may bein their hearts, when next we ride upon them? If these two forces ofTories come together--and by this time I venture to say the men werouted in the early dawn have begun to understand how few we are innumbers--I look to see hot work. Therefore it is I predict that beforearrivin' at Dubose Ferry we shall meet with many of those who so latelyfled before us."
I now realized why the old man looked upon the situation as being gravein the extreme, and there was no further inclination in my mind to makesport of his forebodings.
Having learned what it might, perhaps, have been better we did notknow, Percy and I became quite as solemn as was Gavin Witherspoon, andwe three rode on again as if certain some evil fortune was about toovertake us, neither so much as speaking until half an hour or more hadpassed, when we came to a sudden halt.
Our road at this time lay through the bottom-lands, which were coveredwith a growth of scrub oaks, and we had heard a noise as of horsemenforcing their way through the foliage.
This it was which had caused us to halt so suddenly, and I was lookingto my rifle to make certain it was loaded, when Sam Lee came into view.
He was riding a heavily-built iron-gray horse, the very animal I couldhave sworn to seeing during the brush with Major Gainey's force. Uponhis face was an expression of deepest satisfaction and joy, which didnot change materially when he saw us.
Percy, quicker than I at such times, cried out for the Tory to halt,and he wisely obeyed the command, knowing full well his steed wouldhave no show in a race with such animals as we bestrode, even thoughour rifles might not have brought him to a halt.
"Well," he asked, with an evil look upon his face. "Since when have youbegun to stop peaceful travelers?"
"We have not yet commenced," I cried, allowing anger to take possessionof me. "In these times a Tory cannot lay claim to peacefulness, andit is our purpose to make such prisoners whenever and wherever we findthem."
"And I am a prisoner, eh?" he asked, with not the slightest show offear, and I was surprised thereat, because we knew him to be a rankcoward.
"Throw down your musket an' hold up your hands while Percy makes searchfor pistols!" Gavin Witherspoon said sternly, for the old man was aready comrade in times when quick action became necessary.
Sam Lee obeyed without a word, and after a brief search we discoveredthat he had no other weapons than the musket which lay upon the ground.
Still he appeared well satisfied--even pleased.
It angered me yet further, this show of carelessness, and I criedhastily:
"You were in no such happy mood this morning, when we chased yourfriends into the swamp--when less than four hundred men put to flighttwo thousand!"
Gavin Witherspoon turned upon me quickly, and with such a show oftemper as caused me to understand in an instant that I had thus givento the enemy information concerning the size of General Marion's force.
It was too late to recall the words, unfortunately, and Sam, giving noheed to the old man's show of resentment at my folly, replied to thewords which I had believed would humiliate him:
"The condition of affairs in the Carolinas have changed wonderfullywithin the past few days, and we who are loyal inhabitants of thecolony have little to fear from rebels."
Now did I realize that this Tory lad was certain of his ground, else hewould not have dared to speak in such strain, and the result was thatI, rather than our prisoner, grew disheartened.
Gavin Witherspoon also pricked up his ears at this bold speech from thelad who had heretofore been so cowardly as never to venture an opinionlest he make trouble for himself, and the old man asked as he advancedtoward the rascal threateningly:
"What is it that has given you such a dose of courage, you Tory cur?"
Sam winced, as if believing Gavin Witherspoon was about to strikehim, and then, understanding an instant later that we were not of hiskidney, who would ill-treat a prisoner, replied with a laugh whicharoused all my anger again:
"Your General Gates with his rag-tag and bob-tail of an army has beencut to pieces at Camden by Lord Cornwallis! What you are pleased tocall the 'Cause,' is now wiped o
ut from the Carolinas!"
We three sat speechless with dismay, gazing at each otherquestioningly, apprehensively, as the young Tory told a story which weat the time believed to be true, and afterward came to learn that nopart had been exaggerated.
General Gates, who believed himself to be more of a soldier than wasthe fact, had moved from Rugely's Mills on the evening of the 15th,with his entire force, never so much as sending scouts in advance tolearn whether the enemy might be in the vicinity. His raw recruits weresuddenly met by a volley from the British skirmishers, and, retreatingso far as seemed necessary for safety, lay upon their arms untilmorning.
When the sun rose any other general than Gates would have known he wasdefeated, even before trying the issue. His men, unused to service,were formed in the swamp with the reserve only a few hundred yards inthe rear of the battle line. Perhaps not one out of ten of these hadever been under fire, and opposed to them were picked soldiers--thebest to be found in the king's regiments stationed at Charleston andCamden.
At sunrise General Gates ordered the advance of the Virginia militia,who were met by the redcoats with such a deadly volley that thedivision retreated before more than half of them had discharged theirmuskets. The North Carolina militia followed the disgraceful example,as did also the cavalry, and a charge by the British horse completedthe rout.
Only the Continentals under command of De Kalb held their ground untilfurther resistance would have been madness, and the battle of Camdenhad been half fought, and wholly lost.
No wonder Sam Lee was triumphant.
To us who heard the story it seemed as if his boast that the Cause hadbeen killed in the Carolinas was neither more nor less than the truth,and for a moment I fancied it our duty to return without loss of timeto warn General Marion.
Now it may seem strange to whosoever shall read these lines, that webelieved so readily all the Tory told us; but we had good cause forcredulity.
Old soldiers among us--and the men of my mother's family had been inarms from the time the colonists first began resistance against theking's oppression--had again and again argued that General Gates wasnot a skilful officer, despite his victory at Saratoga.
When it was known that General Marion, who up to the time of takingcommand in the Williamsburg district had been only a colonel, was toleave the staff of Gates, our people predicted a disaster similar towhat it seemed had just occurred.
Therefore, when Sam Lee, liar and coward though he was naturally, gaveus an account of the battle with so much of detail he could not haveinvented, we, unfortunately, had no choice but to believe the tale.
It was Gavin Witherspoon who first regained sufficient composure tounderstand what should be done, and he soon showed the Tory that,however hardly our people had been used, it would not avail him underthe present circumstances.
"It seems to me necessary we keep this young cub with us, howeverdisagreeable the association may be, and do you lads lash him on thesaddle in such fashion that he will not be able to make his escapewithout assistance."
Although believing for the moment that we ought to return immediatelyto General Marion, I obeyed the old man's order, and now it was thatthe look of satisfaction and exultation began to vanish from thecoward's face.
He had counted on our so far losing heart as to make an attempt atcurrying favor with him, or, at least, pass him by, and our thusguarding against the possibility of escape was by no means to hisliking.
"What is to be done?" I asked when the lad was secure, for I nowrealized, as did Percy, that Gavin Witherspoon should be given thecommand of our squad.
"We shall push on as was at first intended, keeping our wits well aboutus, lest we be surprised by others of this fellow's kidney, who aremaking haste to join Barfield. After having accomplished that for whichwe were sent, if it be possible, there will be time enough to repeatthe disagreeable story."
I am making an overly long story of what should be told in fewer words,prompted to do so because of the fear which beset me at this time andcaused the matter to seem of more importance than it really was.
We pressed forward two hours or more, Percy and I riding either side ofthe prisoner, and Gavin Witherspoon keeping in advance.
Then we were come, as nearly as could be judged, to the vicinity of theTory camp, and might no longer with safety use the horses.
Still acting under Gavin Witherspoon's command, we picketed our steedsin the thicket, leaving them and the prisoner to the charge of Percy,while the old man and I pressed forward to reconnoiter.
This work occupied a full hour, and the time was by no means wasted,because when it had expired we were well informed as to the number ofBarfield's men.
To the best of our belief there were not less than eight hundred Toriesfairly well entrenched at Dubose Ferry, and Gavin said to me as weturned to retrace our steps:
"There will be no fighting this night, unless we are driven to it, forneither General Marion nor Major James, however brave they may be, willmake the attack with such odds against us, particularly while it iscertain this same force of Tories will be reinforced before nightfallby those whom we drove into the swamp."
A similar thought was in my own mind, and therefore I made no reply.
It was necessary we rejoin our friends before they should have comeso far as to put themselves in a dangerous position, and Gavin and Ihurried back to where we had left Percy.
We had no difficulty in finding the place where we tethered the horses,and once there the cold sweat of fear broke out upon my forehead.
Percy, and prisoner, and the three horses which we had ridden, were notto be seen. But for the fact that the gray steed of Sam Lee was feedingclose by, I would have said we had mistaken the location.
Words are not sufficient to describe my condition of mind when thishorrible truth burst upon me. I could not so much as speak; but lookedquestioningly at the old man, who said slowly and in a half whisper,after gazing carefully around:
"The boy has been captured by some of Gainey's cowards who no doubtare hunting for us at this moment. Sam Lee knew for what purpose wewent ahead, and as a matter of course has given his Tory friends allpossible information."
"Why do we stand here idly?" I cried, regaining speech when thehorrible fact had been put before me in words. "We cannot desert him,and at whatsoever cost must go in pursuit."
"It is not possible we could compass anything save our own capture,"Gavin Witherspoon said, speaking slowly, and gripping hard both myhands as if to give me comfort.
"Surely you will not turn your back upon him," I cried in a fury,trying to wrench myself from his grasp; "if that cowardly thought bein your mind you shall go alone, for I had rather face all Barfield'sforce single-handed, than have it said I deserted my brother."
"Fair and softly, Robert Sumter, fair and softly. I am not minded to goback. It is you who shall do that."
"But I will not," and again I strove to release my hands.
"Listen to me, lad, and the sooner the better for your brother's sake,because I shall hold you here by force until having laid the casesquarely before you. Would you have it told that one of the Jamesfamily, on account of his own personal grief, allowed four hundredbrave men to ride on to destruction? Would you have it said that ratherthan desert your brother you allowed the men of Williamsburg to facecertain capture or death? Yet that is what must happen unless you arewilling to do as I bid."
"But let me hear what is in your mind, for until then how can Ianswer the questions you ask!" and now I was grown more tractable,understanding that the old man knew better than I what was necessaryboth for the safety of Percy, and those who were riding behind us.
"There is but one horse here, and it would be unsafe to set out onfoot. Having had many more years of experience than you, I should bemore capable of following the Tories who have Percy in their keeping,and having come upon them, if there be a chance for his rescue, oughtto be able to take better advantage of the opportunity than you. Nowthis is my plan: Mount the
gray horse and ride back until you have metour friends; tell them what has occurred, and perchance Major Jameswill send forward ten or twelve experienced woodsmen, who will help mein what seems little better than a forlorn hope. At all events, thegentlemen whom we both can trust implicitly will know the situation,and advise what we may do with honor. In addition to that you will bespared the pain of confessing in later days that you did what a Jamesshould never do--left your friends to ride blindly into such danger ashas never before come upon men of the Carolinas."
It was not easy to follow this advice, as may well be imagined, and Ispent fully five minutes trying to force myself to do it.
It seemed as if by going back when Percy had been forced to go forward,I was deserting him, and yet such seeming desertion was necessary tosave, perhaps, the entire Williamsburg district.
"You will return as a brave lad should," the old man said finally, and,my heart well-nigh bursting with grief, I made reply by mounting thegray horse.
Not until then did I realize how much Gavin Witherspoon had taken uponhimself.
The old man was voluntarily remaining behind on foot, surrounded byenemies, in the vain hope that he might by some fortunate accidentrescue Percy, and I knew full well that the chances were as one in athousand that it could not be done.
In other words, he was doing little less than delivering himselfinto the hands of the enemy and I--I was deserting him as well as mybrother.
"I can't do it, Gavin," I said, making as if to dismount. "It is betteryou ride back."
"No, lad. Having once come to a brave decision, hold steadfast, andforget all else save that the Cause demands the sacrifice, perchance ofyour life, and certainly of your feelings. Push the horse at his bestpace, which will be a sorry one at the most, and before many hours havepassed we may grasp hands again; but I solemnly swear not to desertPercy whatever may come upon me."
I clasped the old man's hand, understanding for the first time in mylife what a friend he was. Then, not daring to so much as speak, I setthe spurs deep into the gray, and he bounded forward with more of lifethan I had expected it would be possible for him to show.
The wonder of it all to me is now, while I am writing it down afterso many months have passed, that I was not captured before havingtraversed a mile on the backward journey, for I saw nothing, heedednothing, thought of nothing save Percy and the brave old man who wasfollowing on his trail.
Heedless alike of friend or foe I rode as if in all the district ofWilliamsburg there was not an enemy, and the good God allowed me topass through that Tory infested district in safety.
It was no more than two hours past noon when I came upon the advanceguard of our brigade, and five minutes later stood before my uncle andGeneral Marion, shaking like one in an ague fit.
Those brave soldiers needed not to be told that some disaster hadbefallen us. The fact, although not the story, was imprinted plainly onmy face, and Major James dismounted that he might fling his arm aroundmy shoulders, as he asked softly and tenderly:
"How far beyond here did you leave Percy and Gavin Witherspoon?"
"Within three miles of Dubose Ferry, so nearly as I can say."
"Were you come upon Barfield's force before this thing happened?"
Then it was that I found my tongue, and told him all the sad story,taking good care however, that both he and the general understood fullwell the strength of the enemy as we had found them.
"We will fall upon them as soon as may be," the general cried, andbeckoning to Captain Mouzon he would have given some order but that Isaid hurriedly, forgetting my manners, as well I might, after all thathad happened:
"Gavin Witherspoon declared that Major Gainey's men would joinBarfield's force, and should the Williamsburg brigade advance, it wouldbe only to their capture or death."
"Death is what every soldier must expect, and peradventure it bedelayed until the end comes peacefully, then is he less fortunate,perhaps, than his fellow. We will ride on, gentlemen, and attackBarfield as soon as we can come upon him."