CHAPTER XII

A MYSTERIOUS ESCAPE

After my cowardly words to Seth Hastings--for it was cowardly to threaten a helpless prisoner as I had done--the young traitor shut his mouth closely, showing by the expression on his face that he was not minded to exchange words with us, and straightway I had somewhat less of contempt for the fellow, because he was displaying a certain amount of courage, when I had believed him to be the veriest cur that ever went unhanged.

The other prisoners had not spoken since that moment when they understood how completely we had them in our power, and for this silence I was thankful, because immediately we were ready to retrace our steps there came into my mind a great fear lest they might have friends in the vicinity who could turn the tables, thus preventing us from going back to camp with proof that we were able to play the part of men.

As a matter of course, Gabriel took the lead, as was his right, since we had made him our commander, and he was not the kind of a lad who loiters when there is work to be done. He marched rapidly at the head of our party, leaving to Archie and me the task of guarding the prisoners, and there is little need for me to say that we did our portion of the task properly, for the slightest carelessness at such a time might cost us our liberty, if not our lives.

“Do not hesitate to shoot with good aim at the first who makes the least move at attempting to escape,” the lad had said as we set out with horses and prisoners through the underbrush, speaking sufficiently loud for all to hear, and we answered properly, although there was little we could have done on the instant had the prisoners turned rusty, owing to the fact of being loaded down with the captured weapons.

I was carrying my own musket and two of those taken from the prisoners, Archie’s burden was the same as mine, while Gabriel had charge of the remainder of the booty, therefore for one of us to have fired quickly, in case there was need, would have been well-nigh impossible.

However, the prisoners were firmly secured on their horses, and there was no possibility they could do anything toward effecting their own release, therefore we had only to guard against a surprise by whoever might come upon us from the outside. Under other circumstances we would have realized that there was little fear of our being discovered by enemies in that place; but, nervous as we were through fear that it might not be possible to regain the encampment with all our spoils of war, even the rustling of the branches in the night air sounded to our ears like the tramp of men, and more than once did the flight of a night bird cause Gabriel to halt our party in order that he might reconnoitre.

How long that short march seemed to me! It was as if it would never end, and more than once before we had come upon the place where our horses had been tethered did I say to myself that Gabriel had mistaken the direction. I dare say, however, that we covered the distance in a reasonably short time, and great was my relief, even though we were by no means out of the woods, when we arrived at our first halting-place.

“It is not for us to linger here,” Gabriel said when Archie stacked his burden of weapons against the trunk of a tree as if preparing for a long halt. “We have yet many miles to cover before sunrise, for I am not minded to travel in the daytime if it can be avoided.”

“You can’t start any too soon to please me,” Archie replied grimly; “but there is no good reason why I should hold on my shoulder this property of the king’s while we are making ready for the journey. How do you count on carrying all the weapons?”

“Leave them here,” I cried quickly. “It is not well we should burden ourselves with muskets when it is important to travel rapidly. Better lose all the weapons than fail to carry our prisoners to the general.”

“There is no reason why we should lose anything,” Gabriel replied quietly as he began saddling his horse. “We of the Colonies have too much need for weapons to waste any, and I am counting on carrying _all_ our booty back to camp.”

It irritated me because he should be thinking about spoils of war when it was of such great importance that the prisoners be lodged where they could not give information concerning what had been learned since their capture, and I would have spoken sharply, but that Archie reminded me of my duty as a soldier by saying cheerily:

“It’s for you to say, captain, and we’d be mighty poor Minute Boys if we kicked against any orders you may be pleased to give.”

By using ropes made of twisted vines, we fastened the muskets to the back of our saddles in such a manner that they would not be likely to catch in the bushes while we rode through the underbrush, and no more than five minutes were spent in thus making ready. Then the prisoners’ horses were fastened by their bridle-reins, head and tail, in a fashion which would force each animal to keep the pace set by the leader, and the steed rode by the foremost, which was Seth Hastings, was to be led by Gabriel.

My post was immediately in the rear, where I could keep sharp watch of the entire line, and Archie rode midway the column to make certain the prisoners were not trying to wriggle out of their bonds. It would not be possible for us to travel swiftly in this fashion, but however necessary it might be to make haste, there was infinitely more need to prevent the escape of a prisoner, for if even one gave us the slip he could carry to the Britishers news of our whereabouts as well as if the whole boiling got away.

“Keep your eyes and ears open,” Gabriel said warningly, as he urged his horse forward, forcing the entire line to move, and at a walk we made our way through the underbrush until coming to the road, when, with a word of warning that the pace was to be increased, Gabriel pushed forward at a sharp trot.

It must have been a disagreeable ride for those who were tied in their saddles, but we gave little thought to their discomforts, and even though we had, I question if we would have made any great effort to relieve men who had been trying to work us all possible harm.

Now it was we took the chances that there might be enemies in front of us, for instead of making any effort to learn if the way was clear, we rode on at our best pace without regard to the possibility, all three of us believing that unless we could regain the encampment before another day came the danger would have increased tenfold.

Twice did we stop to give the horses water, but at such times, no conversation was indulged in. One of the eldest of the Tories would have asked how much farther he must ride thus strapped to the saddle, but Gabriel sharply told him to hold his peace, else would we gag all the party, and from that on, until we were arrived, never one of the renegades ventured to wag his tongue.

During such time as I was not looking into the future with fear and trembling lest in the very moment of our triumph we should be cut off by friends of the prisoners, I was hugging to my heart the joyful thought that at last we had Seth Hastings in our power. The cur had done all he might to compass our death, and while there was no idea in my mind as to how we could punish him properly, I was determined that he should not escape due penalty of his crimes.

The gray light of coming day had but just appeared in the eastern sky when we were challenged by the sentinels at the edge of the Black Mingo Swamp, and the journey had been performed in good shape. It was necessary we wait until some one could be summoned to guide us over the narrow trail, however, and during such time of idleness we were forced to tell our story in order to satisfy the curiosity of the troopers on guard, both of whom were strangers to me.

It was Gabriel who gave an account of our work, and when he was come to an end one of the men said, as he clapped the lad heartily on the knee:

“When I heard that you youngsters were setting yourselves up as Minute Boys I laughed at the idee, allowin’ that it wouldn’t be overly long before you got us, as well as yourselves, into some bloomin’ scrape, but now I’m ready to take it all back. When a party of lads can go out on a scout, an’ bring back with them every blessed Tory who was on our trail, it shows that we old ones ain’t the whole thing in this ’ere one-sided fight. Keep up the good work, an’ if it so be I hear any conceited soldier so much as breathin’ loud agin what you may do, I’ll read him a lesson.”

Although it was sweet to hear such words of praise, and we were treated to very many, it was with a sigh of relief that I saw old Peter’s black face coming from out of the bushes to guide us across the swamp, and when he in turn would have insisted on knowing how we had been able to make such an important capture, I bade him hold his peace until we were safe within the encampment.

The troopers were at breakfast when we rode in among them, and every man’s mouth was open so wide with astonishment at seeing what we had brought that never a word was spoken until General Marion, coming up as we dismounted, said as he laid his hand affectionately on Gabriel’s shoulder:

“I knew full well you lads would give a good account of yourselves whenever the opportunity offered. Captain Horry will look after the prisoners, while you join us at the morning meal, for it stands to reason that you are in need of food as well as rest. The story of what you have done will keep until you are in the humor for telling it, though one question is necessary: Did you leave behind any who may carry information to the enemy?”

“We took all that were in sight,” Archie cried gleefully, not waiting for Gabriel to make reply, and Captain Horry clasped me by the hand as he said in a low tone:

“You Minute Boys have begun well, and I doubt not but that you will keep up the work; the best troopers in our ‘ragged regiment’ could not have done better, as it now seems.”

Then he turned to take charge of our prisoners, who looked as if they might drop from the saddles with fatigue but for the bonds which held them firmly in place, and Gabriel said, as he followed his brother:

“Kindly have especial care of Seth Hastings, captain! We have been a long while in bringing him to book, and it would be a grievous disappointment if he should give us the slip now.”

“You need have no fear,” the captain replied with a laugh. “I’ll answer for it that never one of them leaves this swamp until it is our good pleasure to have him go.”

I delayed until seeing the Tories and our traitor led away by three men whom, the captain had summoned with a gesture, and then I joined my comrades, who had already begun to eat of the food before them as if on the verge of starvation.

How happy we were then! How much of praise did we receive as the story was told, thus showing that we had brought into camp every person found on our journey against whom suspicions might be entertained!

Before we had finished breakfast the scouts who were to go out in our stead made ready for the work, and their comrades bade them look well to the laurels of the “ragged regiment,” for if they returned without as much to show for the time spent as we Minute Boys had brought in, then would it be no more than right we lads take charge of the entire troop because of having shown ourselves better soldiers.

After this time of story-telling and jesting had passed, and certain it is we of the Carolinas had little opportunity in those days to display gay spirits, we lads--meaning all the Minute Boys--went to the outer edge of the encampment that we might make certain our prisoners had been safely confined.

Surely we had little reason to complain that Captain Horry had not attended to his portion of the work in proper fashion. The captives were each secured to a tree by the same bond which confined his elbows, and while he might change his position somewhat when his limbs were cramped, certain it was that no one could free himself unaided.

Seth Hastings looked up at us from under his eyebrows as we approached, and if his look could have killed, then had we been stricken dead on the instant. I never saw a more deadly expression of hatred on any person’s face than darkened his, and yet we had not attempted to do him a wrong--we had been his friends up to the very moment when he tried to compass our undoing. Some such thought as this was in my mind as I came up to where the young traitor was held by his bonds, and asked, with more of curiosity than malice in my voice:

“Why did you set yourself so suddenly against us, Seth Hastings? Why did you try to work our ruin at the very moment when we were proving our friendliness by proposing that you be our comrade?”

He did not answer for the moment, and Archie replied for him by saying:

“Because he is first cousin to the viper that stung the hand which warmed him. More times than can well be counted have I done that cur a good turn, and it was only two days before he would have delivered us to the Britishers, that I gave him food because he claimed to be hungry.”

“Was I bound to turn rebel because you saw fit to do so?” Seth asked surlily, and Gabriel cried:

“How can you call a ‘rebel’ him who would simply defend his own home? If I mistake not, you cried out as loudly as any other against the king when we were besieged, and it seemed possible we of Charleston might be able to hold our own.”

“All that might be, and yet had I the right to change my colors when it was seen that the rebellion was the same as crushed,” Seth cried, and I fancied that his cheeks were reddened with shame even as he spoke.

“If it was in your mind to change colors, the manly way would have been to declare yourself, but instead of so doing you allowed us to think you had the welfare of the Carolinas at heart, in order that you might play the traitor more successfully,” Gabriel said sternly, and then turning toward me he added, “It gives a decent lad a bad taste in the mouth to bandy words with the cur. Let us leave him alone till such time as we can decide how we may settle the score he has run up against himself.”

“You do not dare do more than hold me prisoner of war!” the villain cried in fear, and Jared Green said with a laugh:

“By what right do you count yourself a prisoner of war, you traitorous Tory? Have you joined the king’s forces?”

“Ay, that I have! You know as much without asking the question,” and Seth looked imploringly toward his companions in captivity as if asking them to bear witness that he had been received by the Britishers as a soldier.

“Even the redcoats wouldn’t take such as you in their ranks!” Archie cried sharply. “The only claim you can make is that you have promised every officer you came across to lead them to this encampment, when you knew no more about it than does my Lord Clinton.”

“I came mighty near smoking you out,” the cur cried in short-lived triumph. “It was me who showed these honest men the way.”

“You told us that we were three full days’ march from this place,” one of the Tories said angrily. “If you had known half as much as you professed to be acquainted with, we would not now be in such a hobble.”

“Let him alone, and come with me,” Gabriel whispered. “I’m thinking his punishment has begun, for it is easily seen that the others are inclined to put on his shoulders all the blame for their plight, and they will say more harsh words to the scoundrel than we could devise.”

Then Gabriel and I walked away, leaving two of the troopers on guard against any attempt at escape, and nearly all the Minute Boys followed, believing that now was come the time when we would decide what should be the fate of the traitor we had captured.

Understanding what was in their minds, I grew uneasy lest that be done which might be a black mark against us as soldiers, for such we surely were then, even though by age we were forced to call ourselves boys. When Seth Hastings was at liberty, and we searching for him, it seemed to me as if there was no punishment we could deal out which would be too great for the injury he would have inflicted; but now that he was in our power I began to fear lest the lads would wreak such a vengeance as might cause us shame in after years. Much of that which was in my mind I repeated to Gabriel as we walked through the encampment, and he replied in a whisper:

“The general has the same fear, as he told me at the first opportunity after we arrived. He begs that we treat him as an ordinary prisoner, leaving aside our anger against him for a later time, when we are no longer seeking to serve our country as Minute Boys.”

We did not have further chance for private converse. Our comrades began to clamor for judgment against the traitor, and it was necessary the matter be settled at once, else might some of the hotter-headed take it into their own hands to deal out punishment.

Gabriel was not disposed to waste any time, but, calling for the lads to follow him, led the way beyond the encampment, where we might discuss the situation without fear of being overheard by the troopers.

I wish it was possible for me to set down all that was said when we discussed Seth Hastings’s affairs, for then it would be seen how difficult it was for Gabriel and me to hold the Minute Boys in check. Archie Gordon was as insistent as any of the others that we take some signal revenge, claiming that since it was against him, as one of the original Minute Boys, Seth had first tried to do a grievous wrong, he had a right to name at least a third of the punishment to be inflicted.

“And what would you say should be done with him?” Gabriel asked.

“Give him plenty of time to realize what was coming, and then hang the cur to a tree till his miserable life was fled!”

Nor was Archie the most vindictive of our company. More than one believed we would be warranted in flogging him once each day for a week before putting him to death, and only two besides Gabriel and myself claimed that we had no right to pay off private scores while we professed to be serving the Colonies as soldiers.

Not until Gabriel had called for his brother to say what he believed right, did we succeed in stilling the cries for revenge, and even then the majority of our company claimed the right to do as they saw fit, without regard to the general’s views, insisting that the traitor had shown his cloven foot before there was such an organization as the Minute Boys.

However, by noon we had silenced those who would have tortured the prisoner, even though without convincing them, and Gabriel whispered to me as the conference broke up:

“I am afraid some of our lads may take the matter into their own hands, and that be done which will cause us shame. Keep a sharp lookout on all hands this day, Rufus, and perhaps as time passes they may come to look at the matter more reasonably.”

There could be no question but that Gabriel had cause for fear, as I saw when the discussion was at an end, for then, those who were disgruntled because of not being allowed to wreak signal vengeance on the traitor gathered by themselves at a considerable distance from their comrades, and because Archie Gordon was sorest among the soreheads, I followed him, insisting on discussing the question privately.

It was a long, difficult task, but I finally succeeded in gaining his promise that he would refrain from advocating harsh measures against the prisoner, but leave the matter in the hands of the general, where, as I claimed, and with good reason, it rightfully belonged.

“I will do as you say, Rufus, though it goes mightily against the grain to let that scoundrel off as if he had done nothing more than may be permitted an honest Tory--if, perchance, there be any of that breed who is honest.”

“Better have it go against the grain, Archie, than do that which would cause you shame in the years to come. General Marion will see to it that the cur does not go unpunished, and, as a matter of fact, he has the right to take charge of the affair since he is our commander, even though we claim to be an independent company.”

From that time on, until nightfall, Archie did what he might toward inducing the other lads to give over their cry for revenge, and when the sun had set I believed that we need have no fear the traitor would be treated other than as a prisoner.

I question if there was one of our company who did not go several times during the evening to make certain our precious prisoners were securely guarded, and of a verity there seemed to be little fear they could give us the slip. In addition to being firmly bound, each to a tree, two of the troopers remained close at hand to watch every movement, and I said to Gabriel, when he and I went for the last time that night to assure ourselves of the vigilance of the sentinels and the strength of the bonds:

“There is no reason for us to fear that they will not be here in the morning, and because we had but little sleep last night, we shall be wiser to get what slumber we may now, rather than keep running to and fro, concerning ourselves with what the troopers will do in even better shape than we could.”

Then we two lay down on the ground in that portion of the encampment which we claimed belonged to the company of Minute Boys, and certain it is that I wasted no time in falling asleep.

Another day had come when I opened my eyes, having been aroused by a violent outcry, and, arising lazily to a sitting posture, I asked with but little of curiosity:

“What’s the meaning of all that disturbance?”

Before those who were nearest could make reply, even if they had been able to do so, Archie Gordon came running toward us at full speed, anger written on every feature of his face as he cried:

“Now we can understand why the general was so eager to prevent us from serving out that miserable traitor as he deserved! I was a blind fool for not having understood it all!”

“What has gone wrong, Archie?” Gabriel asked, as he rose to his feet, and the angry lad replied:

“Gone wrong? Everything, when men who claim to be soldiers turn their hands to aid one who would betray us to the Britishers! He was our prisoner, and no one, not even the general, had the right to set him free!”

“What do you mean? Who has been set free?” I asked impatiently, and Archie cried, his voice hoarse with rage:

“That cur--Seth Hastings, who would have been hanged long ere this had we not listened to your soft words!”

It can readily be understood that I was on my feet by this time, and when Gabriel set off at full speed toward where the prisoners had been last seen, I was close at his heels.

When we arrived it was to find fifteen or twenty of the troopers moving about uneasily, as if having suddenly discovered there was a traitor in their midst, and the two men on duty as sentinels were endeavoring to explain that there had been no change in the situation since they went on guard.

“I did not think it necessary to count the prisoners,” one of them said in a tone which carried conviction with it, “but I’ll go bail that the mischief hasn’t been done since three o’clock this morning. Perhaps those who had a grudge against the fellow have taken him away for purposes of their own,” and he looked meaningly at Archie Gordon.

It was a full minute before I could get a view of the prisoners, and then I saw six men, who were striving unsuccessfully to prevent any sign of concern from appearing on their faces, each securely bound as on the evening previous; but the seventh--Seth Hastings--had disappeared, leaving behind him only the leather belt with which his arms had been pinioned.

“How does it come that the young traitor got away, while all the others are yet secure?” I cried, and one of the troopers replied with a meaning look at us lads:

“I reckon the Minute Boys have no need to ask questions. They had a score to settle with the lad who’s missin’, an’ it stands to reason the account has been closed by this time.”

There was no need to ask Archie Gordon if he had had any hand in the disappearance of Seth Hastings. He could not have simulated such anger as he had displayed since the escape was discovered, and I felt positive the other members of the company would not have committed what had the look of a crime, more particularly after it had been agreed between us all that the Tory traitor be left in charge of our commander.

These thoughts had just formed themselves in my mind when General Marion came up, and it was possible to see that he had been seriously disturbed.

“Does any one here know aught concerning the escape?” he asked sharply, and after waiting a moment for a reply, added sorrowfully, “The success of that which we would do depends entirely upon our being true to each other. If we have one among us whose sympathies are with the Tories, or one willing to avenge private wrongs after having the same as passed his word to the contrary, then will it be impossible for us to be of any aid to South Carolina now in her time of deepest trouble and danger.”

“I will answer for it that none of the Minute Boys has done this thing,” Gabriel cried stoutly. “In the first place, we have not among us one who would thus break what is the same as his pledged word, and then again, it would have been impossible for a single lad to have left our hut without my knowledge, for I did not sleep overly well last night.”

“Then is the matter even more serious than I had feared, for there is a traitor among us who have pledged our lives to the Cause, and while he remains undetected are we all in gravest danger.”

With this the general walked away as if determined upon some course of action, and we Minute Boys remained staring at each other in fear and dismay.