CHAPTER XIX

A DASTARDLY BLOW

Now that the task which I set myself is well-nigh done, and I am come to the point of relating that which has caused me more sorrow than I can ever know again, I am at a loss how to go about it.

Inclination prompts me to hasten over the sad story for my own relief, and yet the memory of that lad, which will ever live green in my heart, demands that I do whatsoever I may, to the end that others may know how one devoted friend to the Cause was sent into the Beyond by the most dastardly blow ever dealt.

To begin at the moment when Gabriel led us around the encampment: The way was difficult; owing to the darkness we could not choose our path, but must flounder on as best we might, clinging to the branches of trees here and there, forcing a way through thickets that we might find a firmer foothold upon the roots of the bushes, and although we could have had less than half a mile to advance, I believe we spent nearly two hours in the task, because to the necessity of moving as silently as possible, was added the roughness of the way.

Then we came, as nearly as could be judged, to the point spoken of by General Marion. We were at the very edge of the swamp, within less than three hundred yards of a blockhouse where it might well be supposed a large number of Britishers would be found.

“Why should we not move two hundred paces farther on?” some one asked. “Before we could make any showing whatsoever from here, those in yonder blockhouse would be able to shoot us down to the last man.”

“It is here, as I believe, that General Marion intended we should go in,” Gabriel replied, “and because we are opposite the blockhouse will it be possible for us to attract the attention of the greatest number of the enemy, which is all we have been sent to do.”

After that no one made objections to our station. It was seemingly the place where death would come quickly, and that was evidently what had been intended for us.

After thus taking station there was nothing to do save await the signal, and we assembled on the firm ground within shelter of the foliage, every fellow gripping his musket tightly, I fancied, even as I did mine.

As the minutes wore away we began to believe that we had gotten into position sooner than the commander had anticipated, and I sorrowed because of such fact. To charge the camp, to feel the intoxication born of powder fumes, to struggle desperately to best the enemy and fall while so doing, was far easier than standing there idle with ample time in which to think of what must be the end.

Perhaps some such idea was in Gabriel’s mind, for after a time he said, speaking in a low tone as he laid his hand affectionately on my shoulder:

“Perhaps it will never again be our good fortune to have such an opportunity of proving our mettle as is given this night. Now I am in no wise eager for death, but in my mind there is little fear that the end be near at hand. Even if the odds are so strong against us, we shall take this post of Georgetown, as I firmly believe. My brother is a careful, prudent soldier, never taking upon himself a task which is without hope, although there are many times when it has seemed so to be. We shall capture Georgetown, lads, and if either of us fails to come out alive, we have the proud satisfaction of knowing that, whatsoever befalls the Cause, our names must live among those who gave up everything for freedom.”

“Ay, lad, but this is not the time for such speeches,” Archie Gordon said nervously, and had I not known the boy so well I might have believed he was afraid. “It is no proof that his courage is greatest who speaks very much regarding the future.”

“Meaning by such speech that I had best hold my tongue?” Gabriel said with a laugh. “Perhaps you are right, yet there is upon me the inclination to speak of what we have ventured, in order that I may be the better able to appreciate life after it has been offered as a sacrifice and refused.”

“I guarantee once we are come out from this expedition you will not need anything of the past to make you understand that we ventured into the very shadow of death. I realize without being told that ours is as desperate an undertaking as a man can well imagine--”

“Now your words are more ill-timed than Gabriel’s!” I interrupted, for between the two of them the cold chill of fear was beginning to run up and down my spine.

Gabriel, heedless of this interruption, continued to speak of the future as if we had no part in the present, and while he talked, even though his hand was still upon my shoulder, I ceased to hear, for my thoughts were gone out to that which lay directly before us.

I had never before advanced against an enemy on foot, and the fact of being without a horse gave me a sense of uneasiness. Certain it is that my courage did not fail me, even though I was growing timorous. My hand was trembling with excitement, and my mouth parched and dry as if I had been many hours without water.

Gabriel had just taken my hand in his as if realizing that I was giving no heed to what he said, when a single shot rang out, sounding in my ear as loud as a cannon, and it was as if the very air was aquiver with the reverberation when Gabriel cried:

“Now, lads, shoulder to shoulder, and remember that so long as we can keep on our feet to discharge a weapon, so much more of aid are we giving to those who depend upon us!”

For the instant I saw nothing, had difficulty in moving my feet, and then the pressure of Gabriel’s shoulder on one side and Archie’s on the other brought me to my senses, causing me to realize that if I failed ever so slightly in the task which was before us then was shame come upon all the Minute Boys of South Carolina.

But the enemy must have been on the alert--must have had some inkling that an attack was intended, for the report of the musket, which was our signal, seemed to be theirs also. Before we had taken twenty paces a mass of men began to pour out of the blockhouse like bees from a hive, and I heard one, most like an officer, cry sharply:

“Halt! Make ready!”

Before he could speak another word Gabriel cried:

“Fire, lads! Fire, and then drop to the ground!”

We got in our volley, and were lying at full length reloading our weapons, when the British bullets whistled over our backs.

Gabriel and I both succeeded in recharging our muskets and rising on one knee, before the redcoats were upon us with bayonets. It needed not the word of command to induce me to fire again, for in another instant that bristling line of steel would have been stopped only by our bodies.

I fired, as did a dozen or more of my comrades, and that we took good aim even in the excitement could be told by the fact that the redcoats halted, and wavered for an instant as if on the verge of a panic. I dare venture to say that if there had been another squad of twenty immediately at our backs we might have driven those soldiers of the king’s into their blockhouse again, thereby gaining just so much more time for our regiment, which, as we could hear by the report of the firing, had already begun the attack.

Again the Britishers came at us, and by this time the remainder of our party succeeded in getting their muskets ready.

Once more the enemy faltered, and we strove all in vain to reload before they could come upon us.

Then they closed in, and we struck aside their bayonets with the butts of our muskets, until it became a hand-to-hand struggle, each trying to preserve his own life and take that of his adversary.

A big fellow, trussed up with so much finery that he must perforce have found it difficult to move quickly, seemed to have singled me out, and in order to prevent him from running me through, I grappled him by the throat. We fell to the ground, I uppermost, as I strove to throttle him, using every effort to get my hands down beneath the leathern stock he wore, when I heard a cry which I fancied was uttered by Archie Gordon, and it came from the lips of one who was dying.

Dimly, as if in a dream, I realized that everything depended upon our prolonging the fight until our people at the front could work their way well into the encampment, and clenched my teeth to repress a cry of pain when the fellow beneath me, having unfastened his bayonet, thrust it through my leg. I tried to put into my fingers all the strength of my body, believing that if I could kill this hireling of the king’s at once I might have yet remaining sufficient life to grapple another, thus continuing the struggle so many seconds longer.

Whether I gave him his quietus, or he succeeded in slipping out from my grasp, I cannot say, but certain it is that after a time, not knowing what had been done, and realizing nothing whatsoever of that which was going on about me, I found myself confronting another man. At the same time I heard, as if from afar, the thundering of horses’ hoofs, and mingled with the noise the words of Gabriel:

“We surrender! Throw down your arms, lads! There is no reason why we should sacrifice our lives uselessly.”

I believe it was the word “surrender” from his lips which brought me to my senses, even as a douche of cold water brings the blood to the surface of the body, and on the instant I saw and understood all the situation.

The enemy must have believed we were the advance of a large force, for in addition to those whom we had seen come from out the blockhouse, a full hundred mounted men were riding toward us. Even though we had struggled on regardless of life, no more than ten seconds would have remained for resistance.

Seeing this, I let my hands fall idly by my side, and stepped somewhat behind Gabriel, not, as God knows, with any idea that his body should shelter mine, but because he was the leader, and it was for him to speak. I also desired that those minions of the king who fancied two or three hundred all insufficient a force to cope with twenty men and boys, should see how young our leader was.

It was not Archie Gordon’s death-cry I had heard, but some other, for on the instant Archie stood by my side, and from the tremor of his voice I knew how near his eyelids the tears were brought because we had not been able to do more, as he said:

“There are less than half of us yet alive, and I question, Rufus, whether we were wise to surrender.”

“When Gabriel gave the command we had no choice, and what profits it we should have stood up a few seconds longer? The fight is well on, and we have done our part, not as we would have liked, but to the best of our strength.”

There were only six of us out of the twenty left alive to surrender, when Gabriel gave the command, and in front of the little party I dare venture to say were no less than two hundred of the enemy. A gallant victory for them in good sooth, and a glorious victory for us, insomuch as we had held this number away, for however short a time, from the path of those who followed General Marion.

While one might have counted twenty we stood there facing them in the gloom, which was rapidly decreasing because of the fires which sprung up here and there, showing that a certain number of the enemy had been told off to build them when an attack was made, and then from some one amid the throng, an officer, of course, came the word:

“Advance, you rebels, and show yourselves!”

Why we were put on parade at such a time, when it was for them a pitiful victory, mayhap thirty or forty to one, I could not fancy, but it behoved us as prisoners to obey, and so we did.

Gabriel strode forward proudly, as if he had little heed what might be done with him, we following until having come within four or five paces of the man who had given the command, when suddenly there was a disturbance among those directly facing us, and then from out the mass of armed men came that sneaking, traitorous cur, Seth Hastings!

A cry of delight burst from his lips as he recognized Gabriel, and I, unable to hold my peace because of the anger which surged through my heart at sight of him, cried to the officer who had thus put his six prisoners on exhibition:

“If the king must needs have such as that miserable Tory’s aid before he can whip us of the Carolinas, do not put us to torture by allowing him here! We will take whatsoever of punishment you may inflict, save the sight of that sneak!”

It was even while I spoke, and for this shall I never cease to blame myself, because, had I not allowed the rage in my heart to overpower me, I might perchance have done something toward warding off that dastardly blow. It was, as I say, even while I spoke that the traitorous reptile seized a sabre from the hand of the man nearest him, and running swiftly forward while Gabriel’s face was turned toward the officer, raised the blade, bringing it down on the dear lad’s head with all his strength, cleaving the entire skull.

I quivered in impotent rage as I pushed wildly forward, seeing nothing, but having before my eyes that which was like unto drops of blood, and more than that of my own knowledge I cannot tell.

Archie Gordon has said that I fell upon that Tory villain before a finger could be raised to stay me, and without weapon, save only my naked hands, I sent his soul into that torment which I firmly believe is to be his forever more.

Nor could the Britishers make a move toward separating me from the lifeless body of him who had killed the bravest lad that ever lived among us, for at that moment our people made a charge straight through the encampment, and we who a moment before had been prisoners were left to our own devices.

I know nothing whatsoever of that which followed. Rage and grief had kindly deprived me of my senses, and I was spared the knowledge, for the time being, that our adventure, from which we hoped so much, was come to naught within ten minutes after our dear lad’s murder.

* * * * *

Even now, after we have seen a new nation spring into existence, having had a hand in the making of it--after we are enjoying the repose which follows a well-earned victory, my heart is too sore because of that dastardly blow struck by the cur, Seth Hastings, to permit of my setting down that which the Minute Boys did when Gabriel Marion was no longer with us.

Much against my will, the lads made me their leader, and before the struggle for independence was come to a glorious end, the company numbered a hundred strong. Therefore do I see another reason why I should leave to some one else the task of depicting what we did in aid of the Cause before the king was ready to sue for peace.

Hence it is that I shall copy down here the account of our movements in the Carolinas, after that day when Gabriel left us forever in this world, as it has been written by one whose trade it is to write the history of our country, only adding to his words the explanation that the Minute Boys of South Carolina remained under command of Francis Marion until the united Colonies were acknowledged as a free nation by all the rulers of the world:

“After his discomfiture at Georgetown, Marion retired to Snow’s Island, where he fixed his camp and secured it by such works of art as the absence of natural defences required. Because of the murder of the general’s brother, the battle cry of the ragged regiment ever was, ‘No quarter for Tories!’

“From Snow’s Island Marion sent out his scouts in every direction, and there he planned some of his boldest expeditions. Reinforcements came, and at the close of 1780, Marion was strong enough to confront any British detachments then abroad from headquarters.

“While Greene’s army was approaching the Pedee early in 1781, Marion was very active abroad from his camp, at which he always left a sufficient garrison for its defence. Here and there he was smiting detachments of the British army, and when Lee, who had been sent by Greene to join him with a part of his legion, sought for Marion, it was with great difficulty he could be found, for his rapid marshes were in the midst of vast swamps. As soon as the junction was consummated, these brave partisans planned an expedition against the British post at Georgetown, ... nothing was effected beyond the capture of the commandant and a few privates, and slaying some stragglers, yet the enterprise was not fruitless of good to the patriot Cause.

“After resting a few hours, Marion and Lee moved rapidly up the north bank of the Santee, toward Nelson’s Ferry, to surprise Colonel Watson, who had taken post there. That officer, informed of his approach, ... hastened on toward Camden. At this time Greene was commencing his famous retreat, and summoned Lee with his whole legion to meet him at Guilford.

“The departure of Lee greatly weakened Marion’s force. Yet he was not less active than before, and his enterprises were generally more important and successful. He sent out small detachments of Minute Boys--lads of the Carolinas--to beat up Tory camps and recruiting stations, wherever they might be found....

“Toward the last of January (1781), we find the blacksmith of Kingstree forging saws into rough broadswords for a corps of cavalry which Marion placed in command of Colonel Peter Horry. In February, Horry is observed eastward of the Pedee battling with Tories and British regulars.... Everywhere was the name of Marion feared, and the presence of his men was dreaded by the opponents of the patriot Cause.

“In the spring of 1781 Colonel Watson was sent with a select corps of five hundred men to attempt the destruction of Marion’s brigade. The advanced guards of Marion, under Colonel Horry, met the advance of the enemy, and the patriots were obliged to fall back in the direction of Williamsburg.... For ten days the British force remained stationary, continually annoyed by Marion, until the commander was obliged to choose between certain destruction in detail, or attempt boldly to fight his way to Georgetown. He decided upon the latter course, and at midnight he fled. Marion pursued, fell upon him at Sampit bridge, near Georgetown, and smote many of his wearied soldiers. The British commander escaped to Georgetown with the remnant of his army, complaining that Marion would not ‘fight like a gentleman or a Christian.’

“Sad intelligence now reached Marion. The Tory colonel, Doyle, had penetrated to his camp on Snow’s Island, destroyed his provisions and stores, dispersed the little garrison, and then marched up Lynch’s Creek. Marion pursued the marauder until he was informed that Doyle had destroyed all his heavy baggage, and had the advantage of a day’s march on the road to Camden. Marion wheeled, and hastened, through the overflowed swamps, to confront Watson, who was again in motion with fresh troops, and had encamped upon Catfish Creek, near the present Marion Court-house. Our partisan encamped within five miles of him, and there he was joined by Lee. This junction alarmed Watson. He destroyed his heavy baggage, wheeled his field-pieces into Catfish Creek, and fled by a circuitous route toward Georgetown.

“In May, we find Marion hanging upon the rear of Lord Rawdon on his retreat from Nelson’s Ferry toward Charleston, and from that time until the siege of Ninety-six, he was often with Sumter and Colonel Washington, watching the enemy’s movements near the Santee and Edisto, and cutting off supplies and intelligence from Cruger.

“In June, Marion took possession of Georgetown, the garrison fleeing down Winyaw Bay after a slight resistance. He could not garrison it, so he moved the stores up to his old encampment on Snow’s Island....

“Marion took the leading part in the discomfiture of Colonel Coates, at a loss to himself of seventy killed and wounded. Later he nearly wiped out Major Fraser’s force of five hundred men, and would have completed the victory but for lack of ammunition. In this case the loss of the British was severe, while Marion was not bereft of a man. He took a glorious part in the battle of Eutaw, and then retired to the recesses of a cane-brake on Santee River Swamp to await further opportunity.

“From this time until the evacuation of Charleston Marion’s brigade confined their operations to the vicinity of Charleston. Elected to a seat in the Assembly at Jacksonborough, Marion left the brigade in command of Colonel Horry. Previous to his departure he had a severe skirmish near Monk’s Corner, with three hundred regulars and Tories, who came up from Charleston to surprise him. He repulsed them, but soon afterward, while he was absent, a larger force under Colonel Thompson attacked his brigade near the Santee. Fortunately he arrived during the engagement, but not in time to prevent the defeat and partial dispersion of his beloved troops. The remnant of his brigade rallied around him, and he retired beyond the Santee to recruit and reorganize.

“Early in April, 1782, Marion attacked a force of more than five hundred Tories under Major Gainey, and whipped them so thoroughly that Gainey, thoroughly humbled, joined the patriot force. From that time until Charleston was evacuated (December 14, 1782), the Swamp Fox continued on the aggressive, making his name, and that of his followers, particularly the Minute Boys, now grown to a brigade of more than three hundred, feared by Britisher and Tory alike.”

THE END.

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