CHAPTER IX

A TRAP

There is no good reason why I should go into details concerning the preparations which we made for this reconnoissance when we Minute Boys of South Carolina were to march shoulder to shoulder with picked troopers from General Marion’s command.

In fact, we gave very little heed to the details, save to make certain our horses were in the pink of condition, and our weapons as they should be. We were so puffed up with pride because of having been selected as fit companions for the best men in the “ragged regiment,” as to have little room in our minds for aught else. Nor was our pride abated next morning when we learned that Captain Horry himself was to lead the detachment, and Gabriel said to me with an air of satisfaction:

“It must be, William Rufus, that this movement is of more importance than we had anticipated, else Captain Horry would not march at the head. We shall have a commander who will not shirk his duty, however great may be the opposing force we meet.”

And I, my heart warming to the dear lad because of the joy he displayed in thus being permitted to risk his life, said stoutly:

“We would have a commander equally to be relied on, if the Minute Boys had been sent out on this mission alone.”

For an instant Gabriel failed to understand my meaning, and then a deep flush overspread his face as he gripped me by the arm to show his gratitude.

“You are not warranted in making any such statement, William Rufus, and I know full well you do so only because of the affection there is between us two.”

I would have insisted that there could be no change in my sentiments regarding his ability as a leader whatsoever the feeling we entertained each for the other, but was interrupted by one of the troopers, who thrust his head in at the door of our hut, saying in a quiet tone, as if not minded that all should hear him:

“The order is that all who are to follow Captain Horry shall be in readiness for the march within five minutes.”

We Minute Boys were not minded that any of the older soldiers should obey the command more readily, and therefore it was that when Captain Horry had made his own preparations we were already in the saddle, standing in a squad by ourselves as if to show that it was our purpose to hold the company distinct from the troopers.

There was no leave-taking when we departed from the camp, as a matter of course, for such signs of friendship are not considered, as I have since learned, seemly in those who follow the profession of arms; but when we rode out from the encampment General Marion waved his hand in a friendly manner, most like intending the gesture for his brother’s eye only.

Once we were on the road, all our company were puffed up with pride, when Captain Horry called Gabriel to ride in the advance by his side. This was showing, as we would have it shown, that our leader was recognized as such, and we placed upon the footing so ardently desired--that of an independent company. We rode steadily at a brisk trot for a full hour, and then Gabriel slackened pace that he might fall back with us lads, I asking, as he pulled his horse in by my side:

“Why did you not continue with the leader? It gave us hearty pleasure to see you in your proper place at the head of the column.”

“And I am still keeping my proper place, William Rufus, therefore you need not begin to show jealousy lest the Minute Boys fail to receive due recognition. The fact is that we are to cut loose from this force within the next half-hour.”

“And do a little work on our own account?” Archie, having overheard the words, asked eagerly.

“Ay, that is the way it appears now, although the task is not to my liking, for through it we stand a good chance of being cut out from our share of the fight in case the advance-guard of the enemy is come upon.”

“Tell us what you mean?” I cried irritably, for the possibility that we might be detached in order to prevent our taking full share of the danger was a blow to my pride.

“In half an hour, as Captain Horry figures, we shall have come to the crossroads within a couple of miles of the Sinclair plantation, and no one can say in which direction the enemy may approach. Therefore is this force to be separated, one party bearing to the left, and the other halting at Sinclair’s.”

“Then we are like to have an opportunity of going into action on our own account,” Archie cried gleefully, believing by such a move we might have an opportunity to show what the Minute Boys could do unaided.

Gabriel was not so sanguine that ours might be the most dangerous task, and said with an air of gloom, as I fancied:

“I made much the same proposition to Captain Horry, but he insists that it is an even chance whether his force or ours first comes upon the redcoats.”

“If the order has been given for us to go to Sinclair’s, it strikes me it is a waste of breath to argue as to which may be the post of danger,” Jacob Breen cried, forcing his horse nearer that he might take part in the conversation, “and it is as important for us Minute Boys to show that we can obey a command without question, as to prove our ability to stand against the enemy.”

There was much of sense in what Jacob had said, and I gave over speculating as to which direction might bring us the best opportunity to win renown, because of realizing that if we were to prove ourselves soldiers it was in the highest degree important we show our readiness to abide by whatsoever decision the commander might make.

“Of course, it is not for us to say that we will go here or there,” Gabriel added to me in a low tone, “and yet there is in my mind not a little of disquietude because we are to halt at Sinclair’s to await the possible coming of the enemy.”

“Meaning that you fear we shall miss the redcoats?” I said with a laugh, and he replied gravely:

“I know not what it is I fear; but it appears to me, without my being able to give any reason, that there will be no honor for us this day.”

Having spoken thus strangely, as it seemed to me, Gabriel rode on in advance once more, and twenty or thirty minutes later we were come to the crossing of the roads, when without other leave-taking than a military salute, our leader swung his horse sharply off to the right, we boys following him in silence.

I question if there was one among us unacquainted with the Sinclair plantation, and I said to myself that even though it should be our ill-fortune to miss some brave adventure which the others might come upon, we could at least console ourselves with the knowledge that a hearty welcome awaited us, for the master of the plantation was true to the Cause, but too far advanced in years to take field against the oppressors.

Gabriel rode moodily in advance, his heart burdened by something which he could not define, and did not recover his wonted cheerfulness until we were come within sight of the plantation.

I had supposed that we should be greeted, when we first came upon the boundary of the estate, by some of the slaves, who would immediately carry word of our approach to the dwelling, but to my surprise no living thing was to be seen, even when we arrived at the first row of huts in the negro quarters and Gabriel, turning suddenly in his saddle, looked questioningly into my face.

“The place has been abandoned,” I said involuntarily, not crediting my own words, and Archie Gordon cried:

“Then are the Britishers between us and our people, instead of in advance, as Captain Horry believes!”

By this time we were come to the main entrance of the house, where the doors should have been flung wide open at the sound of our horses’ hoofs, for Master Sinclair was noted throughout the Colonies for his hospitality.

Not a sound could be heard as Gabriel dismounted, beckoning me to do the same, and the other lads remained in the saddle as we two opened the door, which was unfastened, and entered the dwelling.

Inside it was as if the family had just stepped out for a moment; nothing appeared to be disturbed, such as must have been the case in the event of the redcoats visiting the plantation, for those hirelings of the king never lost an opportunity to destroy whatsoever of property they came across which could not be carried away.

We shouted as we went from one apartment to the other, but received no reply, and then for the first time did Gabriel speak:

“There has been something of disaster here, Rufus, and what it is we should learn without delay.”

“But I see no signs of wrong-doing, or of trouble. Mayhap the Sinclairs have gone away for a friendly visit.”

“But why should the dwelling have been left thus deserted with not a door fastened?”

“I question if Master Sinclair ever believed it necessary to bar his doors,” was my reply, and at the same time there was much of disquiet in my mind, for the entire absence of life upon this plantation where I had ever seen so much of bustle and gaiety, was mystifying.

Having satisfied ourselves that the dwelling was indeed unoccupied, Gabriel led the way to the front door, and there said to Jacob Breen and Archie Gordon:

“Ride through the negro quarters and out into the fields, to see if you may come across any of the servants.”

The lads departed at once, and when Gabriel seated himself on the edge of the veranda, his chin in his hands as if trying to solve some difficult problem, Jared Green, forgetting that it was a soldier’s duty to remain silent until spoken to by his commander, asked with somewhat of fretfulness in his tone:

“Is there any good reason why we should remain in the saddle while the sun beats down on us so fiercely?”

“No, lad, I had forgotten my duty,” Gabriel replied gently, looking up as if just aroused from some dream. “It is well that you stable and feed your horses while there is opportunity, for we may be in need of leaving this place hurriedly, when fresh steeds will be of more value than those that are jaded.”

The lads knew full well where to find quarters for the animals, and they rode away, taking with them Gabriel’s horse and mine, whereupon our leader looked at me with mute inquiry in his eyes. There was no need for him to give words to the question which I saw there.

“I cannot make a guess, lad. It is enough for us, however, that there are no signs of the British near about, and, as I look at the matter, we are as clearly bound to remain here on guard as if having found the family waiting to give us welcome.”

“You are right, Rufus; of that there can be no question, but I would give all the little I possess were it possible to read correctly the riddle, for such it is. If Master Sinclair and his family had gone away for a visit, they surely would not have taken half a hundred negroes with them. Even though it might not be necessary to leave the house-servants behind, what about the field-hands?”

While the question remained unanswered Archie and Jacob rode up with an expression of blank dismay upon their faces.

“There is nothing on this plantation alive, not even poultry,” Archie cried, leaping from his horse and standing before us as if expecting we could give an explanation concerning the abandonment of the property, and Jacob, looking around with something like fear on his face, asked nervously:

“Where are the other lads?”

“Gone to stable their horses,” I replied, since Gabriel hesitated. “You had best do the same, and then come back here, bringing the others with you.”

The two lads rode away, and Gabriel and I remained silent, neither eager to speak, for there was something ominous in this absence of life where we had expected to find friends.

Ten minutes later all our company of Minute Boys were grouped in front of the dwelling, when ensued such a tongue-wagging as can be fancied, for each had the same question in mind as had Gabriel and I, and all were equally eager for some solution of the mystifying problem. A full half-hour must have passed before Gabriel spoke, and then our lads, having literally talked themselves out, were moving restlessly to and fro as if fearing some disaster was about to fall upon them.

“There is no good reason why we should continue to puzzle our brains over a question which we cannot answer,” the lad said with the air and tone of one who has suddenly decided upon some definite course of action. “Rufus and I are agreed that the abandonment of the plantation has not been caused by the arrival of the Britishers, else would we see signs of their occupation, for it is hardly possible one of the king’s soldiers can resist the inclination to destroy whatsoever may be within his reach. Our orders were to remain here a certain length of time that we might be able to give the alarm if the enemy came this way, and the fact that the plantation is deserted does not acquit us of that duty. You have cared for your horses, and now it seems to me that we should remain inside the building, from the windows of which can be had a good view of the highway, in order to perform the task assigned us.”

He had but just ceased speaking when the clatter of horse’s hoofs told that a single rider was approaching, coming from the southward, and Gabriel turned quickly to open once more the door of the house, as he said:

“Get under cover, lads, until we know who is coming. It may be that the British leader has sent out scouts and this is our chance to gain information.”

It was the same as if he had told us to enter the building, and we did so, he leading the way to one of the upper rooms, where, by looking above the tops of the trees, we could have full view of the highway for half a mile or more in either direction.

We had hardly more than stationed ourselves at the one window in this room, which was used for storing comparatively useless odds and ends, when the horseman whose coming had been announced rode into view.

A red-coated trooper, who came on at a leisurely pace as if there was no reason for making a cautious advance, pulled his horse in at the private entrance of the plantation as if thoroughly familiar with the place. Advancing to the steps where we lads had so lately been standing, he dismounted, allowing his steed to graze wheresoever he would, and threw himself at full length upon the veranda as if awaiting the arrival of comrades.

“Now is the chance to take a prisoner,” Jacob Breen whispered excitedly. “It would be the simplest thing in the world to go down and capture him.”

“And by so doing take the chances of giving an alarm to whosoever may be following,” Gabriel replied. “It is our business to learn as much as possible, rather than carry back an unimportant prisoner.”

“But suppose there are twenty-five or fifty following him; what then?” Jacob asked, and on the instant there flashed into my mind the thought that we had willingly entered a trap which had not been baited. Having ascended to the top of the house, we would be held prisoners beyond a peradventure if any considerable force came up, and then all the commander’s plans would fail if that which we knew could not be imparted to Captain Horry or General Marion.

I was about to give words to these thoughts when I saw by the expression which suddenly came over Gabriel’s face that he also realized the folly of which we had been culpable.

“We must find a way out by the rear of the house without his knowing of our having been here,” he said a moment later, and at the same instant Archie Gordon whispered excitedly, as he pointed out of the window:

“See! Yonder must be the advance of the entire force which has been sent against us!”

Then it was we could see coming up the road squads of horsemen, riding without military formation, and in considerable numbers, the foremost of whom turned in at the road leading to the house.

There was no time to be lost indeed, even if we yet had an opportunity of escaping, and immediately Gabriel led the way out of the room to the only hallway by which one could descend to the lower floor.

He stopped suddenly on the first stair, however, for the man who had been lounging on the veranda entered the building, as he shouted to those riding up the path:

“Here are good quarters, save that there are none to welcome us!”

We lads stepped back in a twinkling, narrowly escaping discovery, for if the fellow had glanced ever so hurriedly up the stairway he must have seen us, and there was nothing left for the Minute Boys of South Carolina, who had counted so confidently upon being able to strike a blow against the king’s forces, save to seek refuge in that same attic chamber from which was no outlet except the one leading directly among the enemy, who by this time were entering the building in large numbers.

We had trapped ourselves, and I dare venture to say that never had would-be soldiers shown themselves more simple. All were equally culpable, if indeed any should be censured for a natural mistake, but Gabriel seemed to think he alone was responsible for the disagreeable position in which we were placed.

“It is better you lads take the command of the Minute Boys away from me, and give it to some one who can show at least a glimmer of common sense,” he said bitterly when we had reëntered the room and closed the door behind us, looking questioningly into each other’s faces. “None save the veriest fool would have allowed himself, and those who call him leader, to be put in such a trap as this, and on my shoulders must fall all the blame.”

So bitter was he upon himself, and in such an attitude did he stand in front of the closed door, that I actually feared he meditated some mad act, such as giving himself, as expiation for his mistake, into the hands of the enemy. Therefore I said soothingly, laying my hand on his shoulder that I might be ready for any unexpected move on his part:

“No, lad, you shall not take all the blame, for one has been as foolish as another. We Minute Boys are comrades, rather than soldiers serving under strict military discipline, and had we suspected what I am free to admit we should have guessed, then was it our place to make objection when you proposed coming here. Instead of seeking to fasten the fault upon one or the other, let us decide what we may do toward getting out of the trap.”

It was Archie Gordon who replied to me, as he laughed mirthlessly:

“I am fancying we have no need to spend very much time figuring how we shall get out of here, for the redcoats will attend to all that.”

“There is no reason why they should come into the upper part of the house while there is so much of plunder below,” I rejoined sternly, with a faint gleam of comfort appearing amid the clouds of despondency; but he said, laughing again:

“They may not come upon us through searching for plunder; but it is reasonable to suppose that upon seeing the horses, which give proof of having been lately used, they will make it their business to know who has been riding them.”

I had lost sight entirely of this fact, and it was as if some fresh disaster caused by our folly had come upon us. Perhaps there had been in my mind a hopeful thought that we might be able to get out of the building during the hours of darkness, but now it seemed improbable we could remain hidden even until night had come.

I will not undertake to set down all that was said in that room by us despairing lads. We remained conversing in whispers near the window, where it was possible to have a view of the outside while we ourselves remained unseen, and it began to appear as if all the king’s troops in the Carolinas were to rendezvous at the Sinclair plantation.

During the hour which followed our entering the trap that no one had set, there was hardly a moment when we could not see a greater or less number coming up the road, until I believed of a verity there were no less than five hundred horsemen scattered around the estate, or rummaging through the different buildings.

Very shortly after the first squad had come up, ten or twelve officers arrived, and they took quarters in the building, consequently the rank and file were forced to give the place a wide berth. Therefore was there less fear that we should be discovered immediately, for, judging from the sounds, those in command of the king’s army were engaged in feasting, having ransacked the cellars rather than the attics. It was at the moment when we were hemmed in by such a troop as made it seem impossible for our friends to deliver us, even though they came in full force, that Jacob Breen found somewhat of cheer in the situation.

“Since they haven’t already dragged us out from this place, we stand a fair chance of being able to remain in secret until morning.”

“How have you contrived to figure out any such possibility as that?” Archie Gordon asked petulantly, and Jacob said with a smile:

“Where so many horses are stabled, ours will attract but little attention. If the men who have come up last see them, they will believe the steeds belong to their comrades, and if those who first arrived should now make the discovery, they would have good reason for supposing the animals belonged to some of the later arrivals.”

There was no question but that the lad was correct in so far as this went, and it was indeed a slender thread upon which to build hope, but when one is in the desperate situation we then were, he is inclined to catch at any straw whatsoever.

The possibility of remaining yet a few hours longer in that hiding-place served to cheer us ever so little for a few moments, and then were we plunged into gloom again, knowing full well the evil moment could only be postponed for a comparatively brief time.

How that afternoon passed I am unable to say even now, while looking calmly back upon it. Then I was in such a fever of anxiety and self-reproach as to be hardly conscious of what I did or said, knowing, however, that before the day was come to a close all of Tarleton’s or Wemyss’s followers must have arrived at that one plantation, and on the road in the rear lay our people, waiting for the information which we should have carried them.

There was not one among our party who did not realize that having thus entrapped ourselves, we might bring direst misfortune upon our people, who, not receiving intelligence from us that the enemy were near at hand and in such numbers, might advance only to find themselves overwhelmed.

During the early part of the afternoon the British officers enjoyed themselves noisily in the room below, but as the day came to a close all was hushed, while sentinels were stationed, so far as we could see, around the house to prevent the troopers from disturbing the repose of their superiors, for it seemed probable these representatives of the king had ministered to their appetites until sleep became a necessity.

We lads, tired of standing, and not daring to move around the room lest the noise of our footsteps should betray us, sat or lay upon the floor as fancy dictated, but Gabriel remained close by the door as if studying profoundly, while I crouched by his side, attempting now and then to beguile him into conversation.

When the sun had set we could see the gleam of fires here and there about the grounds, showing where the soldiers were encamped in the open air, and I said to myself that even though we might succeed in leaving the building, there was little possibility we could make our way undetected past the sentinels and idle soldiery.

The evening was well along when Gabriel began drawing off his boots, and I, not dreaming of the plan in his mind, followed his example, thinking he was making ready to move about because his limbs were cramped, as were mine.

“You are not to go,” he whispered sharply, laying his hand upon mine, and I, like the simple that I was, asked in surprise:

“Go where?”

“I count on making an attempt to get away from this place, but there is little hope that two could accomplish it undetected. Because it is through my stupidity that we Minute Boys are here in this trap, I am the one who should undertake all the risks.”

“You would venture down-stairs and then out upon the grounds, which are lighted up by the many camp-fires?” I asked incredulously, and he nodded his head emphatically.

“Then I shall go with you.”

“You will do no such thing, Rufus Randolph! Even though I have been a fool, you must still admit I stand as leader of the party, and my orders are to be obeyed. One may do what two could not.”

“But suppose you succeed in getting out of the house, what then? You cannot hope to travel on foot so far as will be necessary to come upon our people.”

“All that will be as it may chance,” he replied. “Some move must be made immediately, for although we have remained here undetected since noon, there is no possibility, when the troopers have orders to march, that our horses will not be discovered as belonging to strangers. As you count it, the danger to you in remaining is greater than may come to me in trying to get away.”

By this time nearly all of our comrades, seeing Gabriel removing his boots and holding conversation with me, believed that some plan for relief was in the wind, and gathered round us asking more questions than could have been answered throughout the entire night.

Gabriel put an end to the idle talk by stating in a whisper, yet sufficiently loud for all to hear, what we would do, and laying his commands upon every one to remain where he was, at least until it was positive that he had gotten well clear of the building, or had been taken prisoner.

“After that, if it so be any of you are minded to tempt fate, then make the attempt,” he said. “As for me, if fortune favors, instead of trying to find Captain Horry, I shall travel straight back on the road down which the general and his followers are riding. Now let me go without further words, and if ill betide me, then have I no more than paid the debt I owe you lads for having led you into this trap.”

It would have been childish for us to have made any further protest. The dear lad was doing no more than any of the party would have been willing to attempt, and it was absolutely necessary that great risks be taken if we were to come out of that place at liberty.

I could not believe but that the work should have been given to me rather than him, and would have urged my claim, but he cut me off sharply by saying:

“You are to stay here in my place, Rufus, and will prove a better leader for the Minute Boys than I have shown myself, of that there can be no doubt.”

He was lifting the latch even as he spoke, and before I could detain him further had passed out into the gloom of the hallway, leaving us standing there with baited breath, our ears strained to catch the slightest sound which should tell of his having been discovered.

No sound save the hum of voices on the outside, or the heavy tread below as the officers moved from one room to another, came to us, and, not daring to hope that he had succeeded in getting down the entire flight of stairs, we remained there like statues, hardly daring to breathe lest by inflating our lungs we give the signal which would be that of death to our comrade whom we loved so dearly.