CHAPTER XVI

A SKIRMISH IN THE DARK

As the full realization of the danger burst upon us, my first thought was that we should ride at full speed until having gained the highway, and almost at the same instant I came to understand that in the darkness, on that narrow trail, we could not hope to make very much speed save at great risk of coming to grief.

I believe of a verity, had I been in command of the Minute Boys I should have lost my head entirely, so critical did the situation appear, and even at this late day I am convinced that the peril was not overestimated. During a full minute we stood there motionless and silent, my comrades most like turning over in their minds, as did I, the folly which had marked our approach. The king’s soldiers themselves could not have made a poorer feint at the job than had we.

I fancied Gabriel was nearly as disturbed in mind as myself, for he gave no word of command until Master Sawyer said to him in a low tone:

“By remaining here we are simply offering ourselves as targets to those who are hidden in the thicket, and if I mistake not--”

He did not finish the sentence, for at that instant the report of a musket rang out wondrously sharp on the still air, and the whistle of the missile as it passed above our heads sounded to me almost as loud as the singing of a bird.

After that first signal that the enemy were not minded to run away, leaving us in undisputed possession of the field, there was no need for a command; with one accord we lads spurred our horses forward until we were partially sheltered by the shack, and even while we were thus moving to a more favorable position came the report of half a dozen weapons. One of the bullets thus sent at random struck the flank of my horse, causing him to plunge and prance until I was like to have spread disorder throughout the entire line.

It was Master Sawyer who first bethought himself to make reply to this salute of lead, and when he discharged his musket in the direction from which we had seen a tiny jet of fire, nearly all our lads followed the example; thus it became a question of reloading while mounted, which is no small task, as any one will learn who attempts a similar feat.

It seemed to me as if our fellows had fired at least twenty shots, the enemy meanwhile replying vigorously, when I heard Gabriel say, as if he was suddenly awakened to the full sense of the situation:

“This shooting at random in the dark can have no effect, and we are only wasting our ammunition. What do you say, Master Sawyer, if we ride up the trail in order to get out of this trap?”

“It is a trap, and no mistake,” the gentleman replied, as if thinking aloud; “but for my advice you lads would have done the work properly, and by this time most like be holding all those renegades prisoners!”

“Why do you say that?” Gabriel asked quickly.

“Because I am beginning to understand that I am in my dotage, otherwise such a proposition as that we advance through the thicket on horseback never would have been made by me.”

“There is no reason, sir, why you should blame yourself for what was done with the best intention. We have no time to spend on regrets just now, as it seems to me,” Gabriel said softly, and Master Sawyer added, in a tone of contrition:

“Right you are, lad, and I am but giving further proof of my folly, therefore it is best I hold my peace lest I lead you into yet other difficulties.”

“But as to whether we shall advance, or make a stand here?” Gabriel insisted.

“As it looks to me, by riding up the trail when we can proceed no faster than a walk, we are giving them good opportunity to pick us off at their leisure, but I would much prefer that you give the command as your judgment dictates.”

I could well understand that Master Sawyer had no desire to make suggestions after such a blunder as had been made, and at the same time I realized that what he had said was true. We had entered the trap with our eyes open, knowing full well it had been set for us, and now, from my point of view, we were forced to remain in it during a certain time at least. Gabriel had the same idea as myself, for on the instant he said in a low tone, himself setting the example:

“We had best dismount, tie the horses’ heads together so that they may not be able to stray, and station ourselves between them and the shack here. It is a case of waiting until daybreak.”

From the alacrity displayed by our lads as they obeyed this command, I could see that all were in full accord with the decision, and as soon as might be we were making a stand with the horses as a barricade against any who might creep around to the left, while the old negro’s hut afforded a poor shelter between us and those who yet remained on our right.

“We started out counting to cover ourselves with glory,” Archie Gordon whispered in my ear, “and have speedily proven ourselves to be fools. From this time on we Minute Boys had best remain under the command of the general, not attempting any adventure on our own account.”

I was much of the same opinion, but not inclined at that time to grieve over the details of our folly, for we were in too great danger to spend our time talking of what might have been. It was to be a skirmish in the dark, and while I had little fear that the Tories could work us much harm, firing at random as would be necessary, yet no fellow can look cheerful when there is fair prospect of being wiped out by a stray shot.

Once we had made our stand as has been described, and come to realize fully that there was no way out of the trap until day should break, we set about trying to inflict some injury upon those who had thus far bested us.

Each member of the company took position where he could find shelter, and with musket at his shoulder watched for the flash of light which should tell the whereabouts of him who fired the last shot.

In this position we remained for a long, weary time, the silence broken only by the reports of the muskets now and then, a shot from the thicket being answered by at least three from us, and when it seemed as if the night must be nearly at an end we had heard no cry of pain to tell that our missiles had taken effect, nor had we received harm. It was a bloodless skirmish in which no advantage could be gained by one side or the other, save in the way of expending ammunition, although all the time there was present in our minds the possibility that the enemy might try to creep up on us from some other direction.

“It is when the day breaks that we must have our wits about us,” Gabriel whispered in my ear as he changed position so that it might be possible for us to converse privately. “Then those who are in the thicket should be able to see their targets while themselves remain concealed from view.”

“But we are not going to stay here very long after daylight,” I made reply.

“No more minutes than may be necessary to mount and ride away, but it is while we are getting ready for the flight--and it is nothing better than a flight--that we shall be in gravest danger.”

“And it would serve us well right if we carried in our bodies a few of their bullets,” I replied moodily, for the stupidity which we had displayed caused me to feel mighty sore. “After this night I reckon we Minute Boys had best talk less of what it is possible to do, and strive harder to carry out the plans of our leader.”

“Now are you grown oversensitive, Rufus. We may say without boasting that not a little has been accomplished by us lads, and one mistake should not be of overly great weight in the balance.”

“Well, you may figure it out as you please, strive to get all the comfort possible from the blunder, but as for me, whenever I am tempted to argue that our company might make a bold stroke, I shall remember this night’s work and hold my peace.”

Then Gabriel left off talking to me, as if irritated because I could speak of nothing save that which had just been done by us, and again the dreary dispiriting work of watching for a random flash, that we might fire blindly into the thicket, was resumed.

In much this same fashion was the entire night spent. When one or another would weary of his fruitless efforts to inflict injury, he strove to enter into conversation with the comrade nearest him, and, so far as I could learn, all the talk centred about the blunder of which we had been guilty.

Then came that lightening of the sky in the east which told that the long vigil was at an end. We no longer had time to discuss our faults, for it was a question of getting out of that trap alive, and all realized full well the danger to which we would be exposed at the moment of mounting and riding up the trail. As a matter of course, the peril would be past in a few moments, for the horses could be sent forward at full speed, but it was that short interval, when our backs must perforce be turned to the foe, which caused even so brave a man as Master Sawyer no slight uneasiness.

So nervous had I become with thinking of those few seconds when we would be exposed to the fire of the enemy, that it was as if daylight came with a single bound after the first gray light of warning, and then, while I was yet asking myself how we were best to guard against the danger, Master Sawyer, no longer hesitating because of the blunder he had made, and without asking permission of Gabriel, took command of the company by saying:

“Now then, lads, move quickly, and do as I bid you. Each one is to mount his horse while keeping within the shelter of the shack as nearly as may be, and when the word is given, ride out along the trail at top speed.”

Because of the words, I believed we were all to make a dash out of the trap, at the same time taking the chances of being hit, and striving only to get beyond range as soon as might be. Therefore I obeyed the command hurriedly, and once we were mounted Master Sawyer said to Gabriel:

“It is your duty to lead the company, lad, therefore ride in advance, and let the pace be a good one.”

There was only one among us all who had an idea that Master Sawyer intended to do other than ride with us, and that single doubter was Archie Gordon. When we were mounted and the horses headed up the trail, I noted that he held back, and said to him sharply:

“It is your station immediately in the rear of me, lad!”

“Ay, but this time I am riding with Master Sawyer.”

“Go on, lad; get into line,” I heard the gentleman say sharply, and Archie replied with a laugh:

“The other fellows have not suspected what you are about, but I am going to take my chances with you.”

I saw Master Sawyer lay hold of the bridle of Archie’s steed, and then there was no opportunity to observe more, for Gabriel gave the word and off we started like an arrow shot from the bow. The report of half a dozen muskets rang out at the same time, thus showing that the enemy were on the alert for our change of position.

I also understood from the answering reports that some of our fellows were firing, and, looking back, I saw greatly to my surprise that Master Sawyer and Archie yet remained near the shack, watching with muskets ready for the first of the Tories who should show himself.

Now it was I understood why Master Sawyer had thus taken command. He counted on atoning for his blunder by remaining behind until we were safely off, when he would have taken his own chances alone but for Archie, who guessed at the plan and was determined to share with the gentleman some portion of the danger.

I could not have halted even if I would, because of those behind me, and during two or three minutes we lads rode on at our best speed, leaving in the rear those two brave hearts who were ready to sell their lives if needs be so that ours might be preserved.

It was a brave thing for Master Sawyer to have done, and yet braver for Archie Gordon to bear him company. The man was experienced in such work, but the lad green to the business; the one had a well-earned reputation to sustain, the other was making his--had made it that morning so far as we Minute Boys of South Carolina were concerned.

When our company had ridden so far that it seemed certain we were beyond musket-shot distance from the shack, Gabriel shouted for us to halt, and when we pulled up our steeds every fellow’s face was turned to the rear, while I dare say all hearts were beating as was mine when we watched for the coming of those comrades whom there was every reason to believe we might never see again.

And yet they came through the danger safely. Within sixty seconds after we halted there sounded from the rear a shout of triumph, and immediately afterward we saw the two riding toward us at full speed, Archie yelling like a red Indian with the joy of having sat side by side with such a man as Master Sawyer at a time when death lurked near at hand.

Gabriel gave the word for us to ride on, when the two appeared in sight, and as we spurred the horses forward every fellow cheered for Archie, forgetting, in the pride which was felt because of a comrade’s heroism, that Master Sawyer had also voluntarily staked his life for ours.

Ten minutes later we were halted in front of the forge, but the place was abandoned, and Master Sawyer said, after he had dismounted and ascertained beyond a question that the smith was not in sight:

“When the opportunity affords it is our business, lads, to overhaul this Master Reuben Rowe, and if he still be of the mind to take neither one side nor the other, then will we give him a taste of what colorless people in such times as these deserve.”

Again we rode on, heading directly for the Davis plantation, our faces lengthening as we drew nearer to it, for the time was rapidly approaching when we must confess to such as General Marion and Captain Horry that we had proven ourselves simples of the most simple type, and such prospect was not pleasing.

“There is but one way out of it,” Gabriel said to me when he had slackened pace that we might ride side by side, and he spoke as if it had been the continuation of a previous conversation. “That is to own up at once, before there is opportunity for much question, that we have been fools.”

“There is little need for many words in order to prove that,” I replied with a mirthless laugh. “We have spent the night in showing your brother that the Minute Boys are not to be trusted out of his sight, and from this on we had best content ourselves with doing sentinel duty around the encampment.”

“No, no, lad, it is not so bad as you would paint it,” Master Sawyer cried as, hearing my words, he spurred his horse alongside us two. “The fault lies with me, and it is I who will tell the story of this night’s blunder. You have done as well, under all the circumstances, as could the best troopers the general has in his command; that I maintain stoutly. I question if any man lives who would not be forced to confess to a mistake now and then, and yet you are not required to do even that, since it was I who urged you to what I dare venture to say was against your better judgment. The whole amount of this night’s work is that you failed to capture those who set a trap for you, and verily in that there can be no great crime.”

Master Sawyer said very much more in the same strain, so bent was he on taking all the blame, and trying to convince us that after skulking the whole night under the guns of such Tories as Seth Hastings had been able to gather from out the mass of fugitives, we had done gallant work.

We knew the facts only too well, however, and when we rode up the lane to where we had encamped the afternoon previous, the dullest person on the plantation could have told by the expression on our faces that matters had gone awry.

Our words were pledged, however, to Master Sawyer, that he be allowed to make the report, and once in camp we set about feeding and grooming our horses, that we might be ready for whatsoever change of base the commander counted on making.

We were soon to learn, however, that General Marion considered himself in a fairly secure position here on the Davis plantation, for before we had good opportunity of speaking with him concerning the misadventure of the night, it was whispered around among our men that word had been brought in regarding one of Colonel Wemyss’s officers who was encamped near Lynch’s Creek, having proceeded there with a considerable body of Tories under orders to force our people to a battle at all hazards. Those who brought such word also gave the welcome news that several squads of patriots were on their way to join us. By remaining where we were it would be possible, not only to yet further recruit our force, but make such preparations as might enable us to meet with a reasonable hope of success those renegades who believed they could whip us in a fair fight.

Therefore it was that we settled ourselves down to the hospitality which Master Davis so freely bestowed, for he was one of those patriots who stood ready to give up all he possessed with the hope of aiding the Cause, and had it been necessary I dare venture to say he would have been the first to apply the torch to his own property.

Before another night came we had an interview with General Marion, but there is no need I should say very much concerning it. Master Sawyer had given him all the details of the night’s work, blaming himself, as we expected, more than was really deserved, and the general said to us laughingly that he understood we were plunged into the depths of despondency because of failing to accomplish our purpose, when as a matter of fact there was no reason for us to grieve.

“Do not think that any one of this company will question your courage, lads, for you have already shown us what it is possible for you to do, and will give yet further proof when the occasion presents itself,” he said laughingly, as he turned away to receive the report of some of the scouts who had just come in.

And now concerning the next four days there is no reason why I should set down anything, save to say that we remained quietly on the Davis plantation, hearing from those who were friendly to the Cause and living near at hand much concerning the movements of the enemy.

Then on the morning of the fifth day it was announced by those troopers who claimed to know full well all the plans our commander might make, that within another four and twenty hours we were to set off for the purpose of giving Captain Harrison the opportunity he professed to be aching for. There was never one among us who did not believe we could stand against twice our number of renegades, and whip them out of their boots.

So confident were these newsmongers that we began to make such few preparations as were possible for the coming march, but before the day was at an end we learned that which turned our attention for the time being elsewhere.

It was about three o’clock in the afternoon when friends of the Cause rode in with the information that the Tories were gathered in large force at Salem, near the fork of the Black River. Here, so it was reported, Colonel Tyne of the British service had appeared, summoning the people as subjects of his Majesty to take the field against their countrymen, and what served more than anything else to set us aflame was the report that he had brought with him ample supplies of war materials, provisions, and even of luxuries such as our people had not seen for many a month.

Eager though we were to measure strength with Harrison’s Tories, the idea of new muskets with bayonets, broadswords and pistols, saddles and bridles, and powder and ball, which the Britisher had brought with him, caused our mouths to water.

Had General Marion declined to take advantage of such opportunity to give his force a new equipment as seemed suddenly to have presented itself, I believe the men under him, obedient and faithful as they had been, would have indulged in much murmuring, for they were sadly in need of many things which it was said lay near at hand for the taking.

An hour later came very definite information, and those who brought it were eager in their demands that our troop take possession of these stores, which were guarded only by a single company of redcoats. It was reported that Colonel Tyne had moved from Salem to Tarcote, on the fork of the Black River, and there had seemingly gone into regular camp, being apparently so secure in mind regarding the safety of his position, that such watchfulness as common prudence would have dictated was neglected.

To sweep down and possess ourselves of these goods which were intended for the benefit of our enemies, was exactly the kind of work for which we were best adapted, and every man was in a fever to be at the task which was at one and the same time for the benefit of the Cause and the equipment of ourselves.

While the officers deliberated, the rank and file announced what articles they most needed, as if it were only necessary to make the statement in order to have their desires fulfilled. In fact, there was not one among us but that believed we could have for the choosing anything among Colonel Tyne’s stores.

Perhaps we, as well as the Britishers, were becoming overconfident as to our strength. We knew beyond a peradventure that Tarleton with his legion would soon be at our heels after the last blow we delivered; that Harrison and his Tories were ahead of us, and this Colonel Tyne at our left, the three forces probably being so near each other that it would be possible for them to unite against us in a comparatively short time. Yet we gave little heed to any possibility save that we were to capture new equipments and stores.

A single company of redcoats seemed to us a force so small as to demand no very serious thought. Even us lads of the Minute Boys were inclined to look upon the capture of Colonel Tyne’s camp as nothing more than an incident in this odd warfare which we were carrying on, and because it proved really to be no more than we expected, I must not allow myself to give overly many words to the matter.

I believe it was in General Marion’s mind to show that he had quite as much confidence in the Minute Boys as before we made the blunder, for on that very afternoon were we summoned to the dwelling, where we found our commander, Captain Horry, and a score or more of people of importance living near about.

Then it was that General Marion told us what we already knew concerning this Colonel Tyne, and asked that we select three of our company to reconnoitre the camp. Tarcote was only a trifle more than ten miles away, and we were to leave the Davis plantation two hours in advance of the troop, which would give us, if anything occurred to prevent our gaining the information desired, ample opportunity to double back on our trail and meet the “ragged regiment” at where they would be halted awaiting our return.

Gabriel made no reply on receiving this command, but, saluting, wheeled about and led the way toward where our horses were stabled, we following his example as a matter of course. Then, instead of going through the form of drawing lots, the leader simply announced to the company that he, Archie Gordon, and Rufus Randolph would act as the scouts, and the remainder of the company were to fall in line with General Marion’s command when they set off.

It can well be fancied how determined we were to do our work faithfully on this night in order to atone for what we yet insisted was a grievous blunder, and off we rode as quickly as might be, exchanging no words until well away from the plantation. Then, instead of talking about what we were to do, we spoke of the past, and of how thoroughly we would whip Harrison’s Tories; but keeping silent upon the purpose of our ride, not because we feared to lose courage, but that each fellow seemed to have it in mind to act and speak as if this work was so easily performed as to not need discussion or comment.

And in fact so did it prove. When we were come near to Tarcote the horses were left in a convenient thicket, and we crept cautiously forward to reconnoitre. But, bless you, we might almost have walked boldly through the camp, so carelessly was it guarded. As a matter of fact we approached within earshot at a dozen points, and failed, strange as it may seem, to find a single sentinel on guard.

These redcoats were living on the fat of the land, and with all the luxuries at their command. They had an ample supply of new canvas tents, and in these were men playing at cards or sleeping, while around the camp-fires lounged squads drinking and smoking as if they were simply out on a picnic. In a dwelling near by the officers were having a feast, carousing as if their one purpose was to so befuddle their senses that the Swamp Fox and his followers might work their will without danger and at ease.

The reconnoissance was attended with as little peril as if we three had gone out sightseeing with our friends, and although I am not counting myself as being a particularly courageous lad, yet I was utterly ashamed of having accomplished the task so readily.

When we stole away, not overly careful as to making a noise, and were mounting our horses, Gabriel said with a laugh, as if he had forgotten that we allowed Seth Hastings to make fools of us:

“If all the Minute Boys had been with us, I dare venture to say we alone could have captured the camp, providing we waited until those sots were a little deeper in their cups. As it is, we have only to report to the general that the goods which Colonel Tyne brought for the Tories are at his disposal whenever he chooses to take them.”