Sarah Dillard's Ride

n body of the detachment were halted while skirmishers went ahead to

oward warning the friends of freedom of the danger which men

should cry aloud at the full strength of their lungs, even though the Britishers killed them an instant later

nd in casting it aside he came to believe that possibly he and Evan might succeed

en might answer his purpose, and yet he racked his brain in vai

et from each other, as if suspecting they might plot mischief if allowed freedom of speech, and therefore it wa

every precaution was taken as the command was obeyed, to prevent even so much as the rattle of thei

y as Evan and Nathan could judge, of the spot Colonel Clarke had

r purpose. Therefore take heed, lads, that our orders are to kill you in cold blood rather than allow any alarm to be given. Now if it so chanced that you struck your foot against my musket, or shouted, or did anything to break the silence, I should consider it my dut

situation, for both the boys understood full well how summarily they wou

e soldiers to dismount, and for every fifth troo

groups of five, it was found that the man who held Evan prisoner was thus detailed

aptor turned him over to the oth

jection, I will truss them up before leaving; but it seems to me one Englishman c

a lad even though he be a rebel, so if it is all the same to you, pass a couple of those saddle

the boys were fettered in such a manner

, and the hearts of the lads were heavy in their breasts, for they mus

placed back to back, were fastened to a convenient tree. "All the blood spilled this night will be upon

eeded in getting through to the Sprin

er have made such a doubtful venture, and surely a

e horses, were ordered forward, and soon only the animals, with perha

f the redcoats as they advanced to d

ightest noise which should tell of the progress. A band of Indians could hardly have moved more stealthil

onversation. Speculations were vain when in a few seconds the dreadful reality would be upon th

et all too swiftly as the lads realize

ly an hour listening for the first sound of the conflict, or the massacre,

eving Colonel Clarke's men were encamped at the Spring, and when this thought had grow

comrade in a voice so choked by emotion tha

o held the horses started in astonishment, perhaps fear, for

e could be no question but that it was a confli

arned in due season, and were ready t

th of his own statement, and straightway Nathan fell to weeping, so great was the relief w

te surprise proved to have been a failure, that no one heard Evan's remark, and the prisoners could have shouted f

r because the plan was miscarrying. "That firing is being done by men who

halting-place we were twenty miles from the rebel encampme

ite the fact that Major Ferguson believed th

nd surely you cannot claim that they might have walked twenty

boys it seemed as if the noise of the conflict was approaching,

athan asked, hoping he had not been mistaken, and yet feeling almos

riumph in his tone. "Now and then I can hear voices even a

hearing this remark, said

st of us, who counted on takin

men began making the horses ready for departure, as if they expected their c

d there was no longer any questi

bullets whistled among the branches above the heads of the prisoners, and the two lads began

ricans on this night, she was not so ind

r more of hot fighting, and the Americans, having accomplished as much, and, perhaps, even more

ment, the redcoats had returned, and, standing by their horses, awaiting the command to mount.

now on looking around there was hardly a squad of horses whe

s," Evan whispered to Nathan, and the latter,

. There must be a chance for us to give

e one of the officers came up an

harge of t

the capture replied to the que

hould carry double while there are so many spare horses; but lash them firml

shers have been repulsed," Evan whi

hile I am not hankering to come into the power of Ephraim Sowers again, as mo

efore the remnants of the det

behind. Some of the dead were to be buried, and the soldiers who had fallen nearest the enc

ll was in

et tied beneath the saddle, were given a place just in

d his officers se

he crestfallen redcoats turned their fa

they endured a most painful journey, bound in such manner that their limbs became cra

and when, arriving at the plantation, the ropes were unloosed, they would

se of the information he brought, and he gave vent to a loud cry of vi

, and as they were laid upon the ground the young spy advanced as if to

are not a band of painted savages; but men who fight fairly, nev

ey escaped, and shall work my will on them!" Ephraim cried

ou have Major Ferguson's written permissi

after learning that some of the men looked with favor upon his intention of tortur

, and in a short time they revived sufficiently to

upright, and to their surprise he made no attack upo

en with you for last night's work, and you may be c

ing, we can well afford to listen to your threats," Nathan

om Major Ferguson; but yet as the time passed he made no effort to interfere with them, and when the detachment had been at the plantation

wed to go," Nathan whispered to his comrade. "Do not give him the satisfacti

ill be blunted," Evan replied, after which the two followed limpingly (for the blood

om of Captain Dillard's home when the boys entered, and from the conversation which was being had at tha

d to be correct when t

s building, did you meet any one

be done unless he would betray the woman whose brave ride of the night previous

s until your men recaptured us, we saw no per

e the mistress of the

hen we were t

y further commun

e in the room-she standing on t

that she did not

do that much, I have no doubt sh

you got out of the room which h

e told of the circumstances of the affair, showing that but for the you

ou sent no word to Col

tant, and with such emphasis that there could be

ving been overtaken by the troopers; inquired concerning their families, and such

ead from them as if the interview was at an end, and Nathan, with a mind fu

-treated us when we were supposed to be powerless,

understand anyt

s no more than one soldier might do to another. He was in our power, and we could have abused him; y

have you han

ir, save to escape from one

at reason your lives will be spared. I wish to send a message to all those rebels round about who are now in arms aga

believe their ears w

ts Ephraim Sowers had made, was news so joyful as to be incredible, and their

to do even that much in o

ing to repeat whatsoever you desire, and to as many as you

with all the rebel

el McDowells, or Colonel Campbell-all three gentlemen with whom we have

of the message I give you, to each of those r

s,

ame time I am in need of messengers, and believe that even tho

rm all that we

s to crush the spirit of rebellion, and here I shall stay until my work be finished. Therefor

to our word, and that both of us have given. We will swear t

though you are forced to travel many a day, that I have come from General Cornwallis' army unhampered by any orders other than those to crush out the spirit of rebellion, and that if they do not desist

oys to repeat for him twice o

o all those in rebellion within a circle of fifty miles. Captain Depuyster, will you take care that they have safe conduct outside our l

walked out of the room as if in a daze, for it did not seem