CHAPTER VI
THE RESCUE
Just for a moment as we stood there in the midst of the battle, for such indeed it was, did I believe it would be impossible for us to aid Archie, howsoever eager we were to do so, and this same thought must have been in the minds of my comrades, for Gabriel shouted as if to arouse our courage:
“We should be able to make our way around the combatants! Our people are holding their own despite the heavy odds, and I believe we may leave them to do all the work since we are shirking the fight for the purpose of rescuing a prisoner.”
“We can still be taking good part in the battle while making a change of position,” Edward Marshall added, as if he thought it necessary to argue me into the mood for going to Archie’s aid.
Even while making reply I glanced around, able now to take in the details of the scene as I had not done before, for this brief conversation had aroused me, so to speak, from the fever born of battle.
Our people were indeed holding their own, and more. The enemy had made a stand near about the centre of the encampment, and although one might have supposed that four hundred men would keep in check twenty, we had driven them beyond the southernmost camp-fire--that is to say, we were really in possession of their night quarters.
Perhaps, in order that he who reads may not have the idea I am drawing the long bow for the purpose of praising our people to the disparagement of the enemy, it may be necessary to state what we fully realized at the time. It was that the advantage had been on our side from the outset, since our coming was so much of a surprise that a certain number of the redcoats were illy prepared for the encounter. Then again, they were unable, just coming from sleep, to see as distinctly as we who had been riding through the darkness, and these things, taken into consideration with the fact that it was not to be expected that men who fought for money, as did the king’s troops, would do as valiant battle as those who were defending their homes and their loved ones, explains why we were able to do all we did.
As I have said, we had driven the enemy beyond his line of encampment, and in obedience to the commands of the British officers the redcoats stood in line of battle, not breaking the formation when they gave way before us; while we fought Indian fashion, from behind tree, rock, or tent, so that we were sheltered from view. Thus it was our bullets went straight to the mark, while theirs were fired at random.
Our people, and by this I mean the men under General Marion’s command, already having forced their way through the camp, were now in such position that their backs were toward the river-bank, and the redcoats stood in battle array at the edge of the swamp, while we lads who had come into the combat on foot were midway between our friends and the right end of the enemy’s line.
Having thus explained the position as well as is possible for one new to such work, that the suggestion, perhaps I should call it a command, which Gabriel gave may the better be understood, I now set down that which he said after having taken in all the details of the situation:
“By falling back twenty paces we shall be screened by yonder line of bushes, and will try to make our way to the rear of the king’s men slowly, firing as we circle around that it may appear as if reinforcements were coming up.”
Having said this, he set the example, and in a few seconds we were carrying out his commands, taking good aim as we discharged our muskets; then advancing behind the screen of bushes while we reloaded, and stopping again only long enough to send in another volley of bullets, until we were come to the very edge of the swamp directly in line with the redcoats.
Now lest it seem by the many words which I have set down that this battle was being carried on a very long while, let me say that from the time our people opened fire until we lads had gained the position of which I have spoken, less than ten minutes had passed.
Our aim was to gain the place where we had seen Seth Hastings, and to do this it would be necessary to pass directly across the rear of the enemy’s line, by traversing a distance of perhaps a quarter of a mile straight through the swamp, and even Gabriel hesitated to lead us along this treacherous footing.
“We may find ourselves mired before going very far,” I ventured to say as we hesitated a single instant before making the attempt, and the dear lad replied in a tone of encouragement:
“It can be no worse for us than for the redcoats. If we are unable to advance, surely they cannot fall upon us.”
Then once more he led the way, and we followed, speedily to find ourselves floundering in mud nearly waist-deep, making such a racket that but for the noise of the firing the enemy must have heard and supposed a full company of men were endeavoring to make their way over the bog.
It was not possible we could continue such a laborious advance for many seconds without stopping to take breath, and when we were forced to halt Edward Marshall bent back the bushes until we could see the rear rank of that red-coated line. Then we discovered that they were scurrying to the left in the hope of gaining the river-bank, thus showing that they did not hope to cross the swamp.
The temptation was too great to be resisted, and Gabriel raised his weapon as a signal that we should fire at the targets before us.
There was no reason why we could not take careful aim, and at the first volley it was possible to see the line of scarlet waver, thus showing that the fire from the rear had struck terror into the hearts of a score or more.
“Give it to them once again,” Gabriel whispered, hurriedly reloading his weapon, and we did more than obey the command, for three volleys were fired before we changed position. By that time, to our intense surprise and delight, had been effected a wondrous change in affairs.
The redcoats must have believed, as indeed they had good reason, that reinforcements had come up in the rear. The smoke of our third volley had not cleared away before we heard a ringing shout from near the river-bank, and saw that line of red broken here and there as the soldiers fled in a panic.
Verily we lads had done good work for the Cause that night, and yet in accomplishing so much did it appear as if we had defeated our purpose, for with the enemy in hot flight there was no possibility of our creeping around to the left of the line in order to aid Archie.
“We have destroyed the last hope for the poor lad!” I cried as the result of the victory was thus forced upon me, and there was a tone of sorrow in Gabriel’s voice even though his words rang out triumphantly:
“We have done more than could have been accomplished had a hundred men joined the general’s force, for even then the odds would have been in favor of the enemy, while now they are fortunately ignorant of how many may be in their rear.”
I heard the voice of General Marion as he urged his men to spur their horses hard in order that they might slay or capture the fugitives before they could reach the shelter of the forest which lay between the river and the swamp, and I dragged myself as rapidly as possible over the mire to solid ground in order to join in the chase, but feeling as sore at heart as if we had suffered defeat instead of having won a signal victory.
We lads had no opportunity to take part in the chase. The horses of the enemy were picketed near the bank of the river, as we soon learned, and toward them the fugitives were making their way. By the time we Minute Boys came up the greater number of the redcoats were riding away hotly pursued by our people, and we were left helpless spectators of a most terrible scene. It was as if here, there, and everywhere could be seen blotches of red, even amid the gloom, which told of the dead and wounded, for the fire of our people had been most effective.
I had seen scores of men shot down during the siege of Charleston, but at such times there were many near at hand to care for them, and the evidences of the conflict were speedily borne away. Here all the disabled remained where they had fallen, and the cries for help, mingled with moans of pain, were most distressing.
We lads forgot that those who called upon us were enemies; forgot everything save the need of ministering to the poor creatures who had fallen under our own fire.
A British soldier near where I had halted was begging for water, and it must have been the cry of delirium, for the fever of thirst could not have fastened upon him so strongly as appeared to be the case, in so short a time. I did not stop to think of this, but ran with all speed toward the river, bent on relieving as much of war’s cruelty as lay within my power; but on gaining the edge of the stream I came full upon a man who was bending over another as if robbing him. In a twinkling I had halted and pressed my musket against the fellow’s head, when, greatly to my surprise, up rose none other than old Peter, who cried in a tone of relief as he recognized me:
“Look yere, Marse Randolph, don’ you see wha’ I done gone found?”
It was Archie, who lay upon the ground bound! When I came up Peter was trying to remove a gag from his mouth! It can readily be supposed how quickly my sorrow turned to rejoicing, and I plied the dear fellow with questions while aiding old Peter in his task, although it was impossible for him to make answer until the belt which held in place the wad of grass had been unbuckled.
“Tell me about it, lad, as soon as you are in a condition to speak. How did that Tory cur chance to leave you here? I had sooner thought he would have put a bullet through your head.”
“And perhaps he might if our people had not come up so quickly,” Archie replied, speaking with difficulty because his jaws were numb and cramped from having been held open so long by the cruel gag.
Before he could say more a wounded man lying close at hand cried out piteously, begging for us to drag him to the water’s edge where he might bathe his shattered limb, and we set about the task, working as tenderly, I am glad to say, as if he had been one of our comrades. From that time until near daybreak, we who called ourselves the Minute Boys of South Carolina acted the part of nurses, not only among those of our own people, six of whom had been wounded and one killed, but toward the enemy.
Archie did his full share of the work, and I question if any of us lads knew when General Marion and his followers came back to camp, further pursuit being impossible because of the darkness, and the thick undergrowth into which the fugitives had ridden.
Not until the wounded on both sides had been cared for to the best of our poor ability did we have time to look about the encampment, and then we learned that here, as at the last engagement, the foe had left behind him plunder of all kinds; so much that when once it was carried to Snow’s Island we would have sufficient to outfit as many of our people as might answer the general’s summons.
In addition to the camp equipment, provisions, and ammunition which had thus come into our possession, we had a large number of horses which the troopers gathered in as they returned from the chase--twenty-eight all told, I believe. Before setting about getting breakfast we three lads selected from the animals such as pleased our fancy, Captain Horry having given word that we were to make our choice.
Then we sat down in front of the fire to toast bacon and bread while we made a plentiful supply of coffee, helping ourselves generously from the stores which the panic-stricken soldiers of the king had left behind.
Not until this moment did we have opportunity to hear Archie’s story, and the lad told it in few words, since indeed it could not be spun out to any length, because of the fact that he had spent the greater portion of the time bound and gagged, unable to see what was going on about him.
It seems that within five minutes after we left him in charge of the horses, four men came through the woods directly upon him and his prisoner. Even at the very instant he was about to cry out a warning to us, one of the troopers caught him by the throat. Seth Hastings was set free, as a matter of course, and when he told these men that we had gone to spy out the camp, one of them was sent to the rear with Archie and the horses, while the others followed us. The poor lad felt positive we would be captured, for escape seemed impossible, but as the moments went by and no more prisoners were brought in, his hopes grew high.
“I knew that I should not remain long with those troopers if you lads were at liberty,” he said confidently, “and therefore counted on a speedy deliverance, unless peradventure Seth Hastings shot me offhand, as I make no question the cur would have done had he dared. Even while I was being led by a roundabout way to the encampment he would have struck me, but that the soldier threatened direst punishment if he dared lift his hand against a prisoner, and the villain was too much of a coward to do other than obey.”
Once in the encampment, Archie was taken before Captain Barfield, who did not think it necessary to spend overly much time on him after asking for what purpose he had come. The lad could do no less than tell the truth, for Seth Hastings had already been made aware of the strength of our people, and also knew that Gabriel and I had crept forward for the sole purpose of learning the strength and position of the enemy.
“I was triced up to a tree, but not in any barbarous fashion,” Archie continued, as he made a fresh attack upon the redcoats’ bacon, “and if it had not been for Seth Hastings I should have considered myself exceedingly fortunate; but that miserable whelp, who was aching to maltreat me but not daring to raise a hand, spent his time picturing what would be the fate of our people once they were so foolish to make an attack upon such a large force of well-drilled soldiers. It was not that I believed the fellow, or that he frightened me, but you well know how annoying the buzz of a mosquito is, and how disquieting the rattle of a snake. Therefore you can understand that the time was not passed pleasantly by me. I firmly believed you fellows would come shortly after night had set in, but must confess that I had little faith in the ability of our people to overcome so strong a company.”
[Illustration: “IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR SETH HASTINGS, I SHOULD HAVE CONSIDERED MYSELF EXCEEDINGLY FORTUNATE.”]
“Then you were not gagged all this while?” I asked, and he replied:
“Not until the first alarm was given, and then Seth Hastings himself was the one who did the deed, thrusting a bunch of grass into my mouth even at the moment when I opened it, hoping by the sound of my voice you would know where I was. Then he unloosed me from the tree, trussing me up as you have seen, with the intention, I believe, of dragging me so far away that he could work his will without fear of the consequences. In fact, he did give me a few hard blows; but I was so excited by the noise of the battle, so fearful lest you would not come off victorious, that he might have inflicted double punishment without my being aware of what he was about.”
We lads were yet around the camp-fire satisfying our hunger and curiosity at the same time, when, shortly after break of day, orders were given for all hands to set about making ready for the march. It seemed to be understood without question that we were to retreat to Snow’s Island, for the double purpose of carrying there our plunder, and gaining a place where we could better resist an attack, for unless these soldiers of the king were arrant cowards they would soon recover from the panic into which we had driven them, and return to make reprisals.
Every horse was loaded with as heavy a burden as he could carry, and so also were the men. Even then we were forced to leave behind much which might have been of greatest value to those who were struggling for the Cause.
There was not one among us, save the officers themselves, who did not believe we would spend the night on Snow’s Island, therefore great was our surprise when, after a march of about two hours, we were halted, and three members of the company told off to take charge of the plunder and spare horses.
While we were looking at each other wondering what could be the reason for such an odd proceeding, the command was given that each man, save the three already spoken of, was to take from the general store as much of provisions for himself, and provender for his horse, as would suffice during eight and forty hours, all of which was to be packed behind the rider in the most convenient form for carrying.
This done, the company, with the exception of those who had been detailed to camp service, was sent forward at a leisurely pace southward, making no further halt until the sun was high in the heavens, when we were come to a ford on the Black River six or seven miles south of Kingstree.
Here it was announced that men and horses would be allowed a rest of an hour. General Marion and Captain Horry, as if incapable of feeling fatigue, rode ahead nearly due west, leaving us alone.
“What is the meaning of this?” I asked while unsaddling my horse that his back might be washed, and Gabriel replied with a laugh which had in it considerable of satisfaction:
“I am of the opinion that our commander does not intend to sit still and gloat over his laurels.”
“Meaning that he counts on striking another blow at once?” Archie asked in surprise.
“Ay, lad, that is what I think he will do. Francis ever believed that in warfare the weaker army should be constantly the aggressor so far as possible, and he is, if I mistake not, now simply carrying out his own theory as to how it may be possible for raw recruits, who love their country, to worst a superior force.”
I was by no means averse to aiding in such a plan; but it appeared to me that if we were thus to ride to and fro over the country, alternately fighting and running away, the chances of recruiting the ranks of the Minute Boys would be slight indeed. I had counted that we might be able to go here and there where we knew certain lads lived, and thus enlist them; but it looked just then as if our party of five was to constitute the entire strength of the Minute Boys of South Carolina.
Shortly before the expiration of the time set for the halt, General Marion and Captain Horry returned, and when next we advanced it was in the direction they had scouted. We rode at a fairly good pace until arriving at the road leading from Georgetown to Nelson’s Ferry, and then I began to have an inkling of what was our purpose in this section of the country.
It is well known that the “war-path” from Charleston to Camden crosses the Santee River at Nelson’s Ferry, and there above all other places would one who was eager for fight be likely to get his fill.
In order to avoid dwelling too long on what others may consider unimportant details, I have said nothing regarding this day’s march, but must set down the fact that more than once during the ride had we learned from white men and negroes who remained true to the Cause, additional particulars concerning the blunder of General Gates, and before arriving at the Georgetown road we understood beyond a peradventure that the story told by Seth Hastings was only untrue in so far as it did not contain all the disaster which had befallen the American army.
Now we knew how many prisoners had been taken during the much-to-be-regretted engagement, and, what was more to the purpose, learned that our unfortunate countrymen were being sent as rapidly as possible from the scene of the one-sided conflict to Charleston.
While we were riding along the highway, Gabriel, Archie, and I side by side with the two Marshall boys, and old Peter directly in our rear, a sudden thought came to my mind, and turning in the saddle, I asked:
“Are you lads well acquainted with the country hereabout?” and Edward Marshall replied:
“It is as familiar as our own plantation.”
“Then tell me, if those troopers whom we stirred up last night did not recover courage sufficient to come back in search of us, where would they be most like to go?”
“Nelson’s Ferry is the only place I can think of as at all likely.”
“You are hitting the truth closely,” Gabriel said as if it were possible to read my thoughts.
“But of what was I thinking?” I asked laughingly.
“As to why we are going to Nelson’s Ferry.”
“In that you are wrong, lad. I asked our comrade where those whom we whipped last night would be most likely to go, because with them rides Seth Hastings, unless they have grown weary of such a traitor as he, and it is that same cur I am aching to meet once more. It would pain me much to know we were riding directly away from where it may be possible to come upon him.”
“He had already gone out of my mind, so intent was I upon the errand which it seems probable we are bent on,” Gabriel said thoughtfully. “I believe we shall be led to better work than that of punishing a dirty traitor.”
“Now, what mean you?” I asked irritably, for it was to me as if the lad tried to speak riddles.
“We have already learned that the prisoners which Lord Cornwallis took are being sent to Charleston as rapidly as possible, and you know as well as do I that they must cross the river at Nelson’s Ferry. Therefore am I believing that it is our commander’s purpose to do whatsoever he may toward freeing those unfortunates, and in such work he will be striking another blow at the enemy.”
On the instant my desire for revenge was forgotten. I no longer felt conscious of fatigue, and would have cried out against our making a halt just then, even though but a few moments before I had been hoping the word to camp for the night might be given. To have a hand in the freeing of those who had been captured through a blunder--even though it can be called by no worse name--of their commander, was sufficient to set all my nerves a-tingle, and I hoped fervently that Gabriel was not mistaken in his guessing.
We who called ourselves Minute Boys were yet eagerly discussing the possibility which had suddenly presented itself, when one of the troopers came riding back from the front, and drawing rein on approaching us lads, said:
“The general would speak with you.”
“With whom?” I asked quickly, believing some one was needed for an especial service, and fearing lest Gabriel might have been signalled out for the honor, leaving us behind.
“The word was sent to the lads, and since you five are all the youngsters we have with us, I’m counting you’re the ones the commander meant,” the man said with a smile, as he turned his horse and spurred forward again.
“The Minute Boys may not count for much in the way of numbers, but surely it seems as if there was work for them to do in this kind of warfare,” Archie cried gleefully, and one would have thought, as he urged his horse forward, eager to gain the advance over Gabriel and me, that some great prize awaited him, instead of what might be a mission which would end with his death.
There was not much of military stiffness in this “ragged army” of General Marion’s, and we lads rode up like a party of schoolboys until coming abreast of the general, when we reined in familiarly by his side, but without halting. He welcomed us with a smile and a nod, heeding not the fact that we had failed to salute properly, and said in a brotherly tone:
“We should be near about twenty miles from Nelson’s Ferry.”
“Well?” cried Gabriel eagerly as the general ceased speaking.
“Perhaps you have already guessed our destination, and I am telling you nothing new when I say that probably early to-morrow morning there will be many men from Cornwallis’s army cross at the ferry with American prisoners. Now it is important I should have early information of such movements, and to that end have sent for you lads, because, small though this company is, it would awaken suspicion in the minds of the Tories living near about if we should be seen, whereas you lads would not be so likely to attract attention.”
“When are we to start, sir?” Archie cried joyously, not waiting for the command to be given, and General Marion continued, heedless of the interruption:
“Any force coming from Camden will make certain halt near about the ferry. I propose that this troop go into camp within an hour, and that you ride on along the river-bank, keeping under cover as much as may be, until discovering the approach of the enemy. Then you are to wait only so long as may be necessary to learn how strong he is in numbers, before riding back to Tar Heel Creek, on the first bend of which we shall be encamped. You know the place, Gabriel? It is where we have often slept while hunting.”
“Shall we set off now, sir?” I asked, tightening my horse’s rein.
“There is no reason why you should not ride with us so far as we are counting on going, and when word to halt is next given you are to continue on without making unnecessary show of having been sent on a mission.”
We all understood this to mean that it was not well the remainder of our force should know exactly what we were about, and I set the example of saluting him as a soldier should his commander, after which we fell back to our proper places in the line, our hearts beating high with excitement and hope, for it seemed probable we might not only be able to free some of our people who were being driven like sheep into the prison-ships, but at the same time strike a blow for ourselves upon that traitorous cur, Seth Hastings.