The Boy Spies with the Regulators Read online

  CHAPTER V.

  AT BRUNSWICK.

  During my time of standing sentinel I neither saw nor heard anythingto cause alarm or suspicion; but I never had a harder task than thatof keeping my eyes open while the others were sleeping. It was as ifuntil my companions lost themselves in slumber I had no sense ofweariness, and then, suddenly, I was overcome to such an extent thatit seemed almost impossible I could perform the duties of sentry.

  I walked to and fro briskly; repeated to myself this hymn or thatverse, and now and then groomed the horses in the hope of arousingmyself; but all to no purpose. My eyelids drooped as if weighted withlead, and not until I had switched my face sharply with a bit ofbrush, striking my bare eyeball inadvertently, was I awakened. Thenthe pain kept me awake until I judged that the time of my vigil hadcome to an end.

  Master Howell arose reluctantly when I shook him vigorously, and askedas he stretched his limbs and yawned prodigiously, whether I had heardanything which might concern us.

  Sixty seconds later I was sleeping soundly, and not until late in theafternoon was I sensible that the life yet remained within my tiredbody.

  Then I was surprised by seeing meat cooking before a fire; but soonlearned that Master Hunter had been out in search of game, and,fortunately for us, had come across a deer within half a mile of ourcamping place.

  After partaking of a hearty meal the difficulties and dangers of ourway seemed to have lessened, and I looked forward to the night's workas a task which might have within it somewhat of pleasure.

  Because we had not heard horsemen passing our resting-place, it wasbelieved that our enemies had abandoned the chase, and immediately thelate dinner was eaten we set forth, taking less precautions thanbefore, for now it seemed as if we must have outrun danger.

  In order that I may not make too many words of what is of littleconsequence, no further record of the journey shall be made, save tosay that on a certain day, near about noon, we rode into Brunswickdespite the efforts of Master Edwards and Attorney Fanning to checkus.

  At the inn, the landlord of which was an acquaintance of MasterHowell's, it was given out with considerable emphasis, as if there wassomething in our official position of which to be proud, that we hadcome as deputies from the Regulation to petition the governor, and Iventure to say that before nightfall every citizen of Brunswick waswell aware of what had been done in upper Carolina to preserve therights of the people.

  It was only natural the Brunswickers should be curious to know allthat this association so lately sprung into existence was doing, andeven we lads were questioned eagerly by those who, because of press ofnumbers around the deputies, could not otherwise learn of theorganized resistance against unjust taxation.

  Thus it came about as Master Howell and Hunter desired, that thecitizens were well informed as to the reason of our coming before wehad asked for an audience with the representative of his majesty inthe Carolinas.

  Not until the following morning did we present ourselves at thegovernor's residence, and then we were admitted after being allowed tocool our heels in the guard-room for an hour or more.

  Sidney and I had not supposed that we would accompany our companionson this visit of state; but it served the purpose of our gentlemen tointroduce us as deputies of equal importance with themselves, with theview, most likely, of giving us lads that fancied protection whichwould be thrown around the messengers of a reasonably powerfulassociation.

  There could be no doubt but that the governor knew by this time why wehad visited Brunswick, and, while not daring, perhaps, to refuse us anaudience, satisfied his narrow mind and tyrannical disposition bymaking us wait in the room occupied by the guard for a certain lengthof time.

  When finally we were admitted to his presence we saw a cruel-facedman, clad carelessly in a dressing-gown, seated at a table in thatroom which served him as a library, and ranged around the apartmentwere six soldiers fully armed, fitting protectors for such as he.

  As if with the view of proving that we were of but little consequencein comparison with his greatness, he did not so much as glance at uswhen we first entered; but remained as if engrossed with certainpapers that were spread out on the table, until ten minutes or morehad elapsed, when he looked up, surveying us with a scornfulexpression.

  Certain it is that he did not frighten either of the party by hislordly manner, and such fact must have been apparent on our faces, forhe finally asked in a loud voice, perhaps hoping to cause alarm by hisroar, why we had presented ourselves.

  Master Howell acted as spokesman, and he advanced a pace as he saidboldly:

  "May it please your excellency, we, the deputies of a certainassociation well known in upper Carolina as the Regulation, haveventured to present ourselves with a petition from the Regulators, onthe strength of a recommendation from your excellency's secretary,Master David Edwards."

  "Your association may be well known in the backwoods; but we have yetto learn of it here," the governor cried angrily.

  "That you may do by a perusal of this petition, your excellency,"Master Howell said quietly as he laid a folded paper on the table infront of Tryon. "Two of our people have been imprisoned without duewarrant, and when four hundred or more gentlemen of upper Carolinapresented themselves at Hillsborough for the purpose of restoring ourfriends to liberty, Master Edwards urged us to the present procedure,promising faithfully in your name that this matter, together withothers of an unlawful nature, should receive your prompt attention."

  At this speech, which savored little of fear, the governor took up thepetition, glancing at it carelessly, and then throwing itcontemptuously on the table, cried in a voice which quivered withpassion:

  "Return to your homes, and smother this rebellion in the bud, else thepenalty will be great. There shall be no association banded againstthe laws of his most gracious majesty! See to it that your fellowsdisperse at once, and have a care how you meet in opposition to ourwill!"

  "I pray your excellency to read that which we have brought at risk ofour lives," Master Howell said firmly. "You will see that we do notrebel against his majesty's laws; but rather against those who exceedthem unlawfully."

  "Go home and pay your taxes, or I will sweep the upper Carolina withmy troops till it is a wilderness!" the governor cried as if besidehimself with rage, and it appeared to me that he was about to give yetmore rein to his passion when an officer entered hurriedly, whisperinga few words in the angry man's ear.

  "Admit him at once," was the command, and then, to my astonishment andfear, in walked one of those two cavaliers who had opposed ourpassage and afterward made prisoners of the deputies.

  The newcomer had all the appearance of one who has traveled far andfast, and after looking around hurriedly as if to satisfy himself thatwe were really there, he laid a paper on the table in front of thegovernor.

  Then, at a sign from Tryon, he backed out of the room as if in thepresence of royalty itself, and the governor hastily took up thewritten message.

  It must have contained something which did not please him, for hisbrows wrinkled as he read, and after coming to the end he perused itonce more with greatest care.

  Although having had no experience in such matters, I understood fullwell that this missive had been sent by David Edwards, and couldreason out all the circumstances readily.

  Most likely a messenger had been sent back to Hillsborough within avery short time after the escape of the deputies, and even while aportion of the party were pursuing us. Knowing as he did, that theRegulation was sufficiently strong to dominate upper Carolina if itwas forced to extremities, Master Edwards had unquestionably sent afull account of all that had happened to the governor, in order thatthe latter might not do anything rashly.

  That my reasoning was correct I understood when, after somereflection, Tryon, turned toward us once more with something like asmile of friendliness on his cruel face.

  "You will excuse me, gentlemen, for having diverted my attention evenmomentarily from your affair. In th
ese times, when treason is rearingits head against his most gracious majesty a moment's delay may havefatal results. I will read your petition."

  Then, as if he had but just understood our request, he perused thedocument we brought, and having done so said condescendingly:

  "This matter shall receive our immediate attention. Return to yourhomes; explain to your associates that their welfare has my best care,and assure them that within a month I will make a personal visit toHillsborough. Then these complaints shall be inquired into byimpartial judges, and that which is wrong or unjust will be remediedwithout loss of time."

  He bowed, to intimate that the audience was at an end, and we went outof the room, not backward, as had the messenger from Edwards; but asgentlemen should, in a manner calculated to show that we stood onterms of equality with all there.

  But for the manner in which he first received us, I would have saidthat the troubles of our people were well-nigh at an end; but,believing he had spoken us fairly at the last only because ofrealizing that the Regulation was of great strength, I fancied we hadaccomplished nothing of good by our coming.

  When we were at the inn once more, and could hold converse withoutfear of eavesdroppers, I learned that the deputies were of much my wayof thinking, for Master Howell said with a grim laugh:

  "At least, we have pinned Tryon down to the promise that he will cometo Hillsborough within a month."

  "And then I warrant you that those whose names are on the rolls ofthe associations will find themselves fast beset by Fanning'shenchmen. Our last condition will be worse than the first."

  "He will need to bring a strong following with him."

  "Not so, my friend," Master Hunter replied gravely. "The weak-kneedamong us will profess to believe in his promises, and the Regulationwill be reduced to less than an hundred. He may work his will untilagain are the people so oppressed that alleged rebellion becomesnecessary if we would save ourselves from prison."

  It was not a cheerful ending to our long journey; but there wasnothing more that we could do, save make the people of Brunswickunderstand yet more thoroughly the situation of affairs in thosecountries where Fanning and Frohock held the courts of law in theirhands.

  During the remainder of this day, in accordance with Master Howell'ssuggestion, we talked with such of the citizens as came to questionus, and by nightfall the Brunswickers must have had a fairly goodidea of the situation in upper Carolina, where already had fourhundred gentlemen declared they would resist the misrule which wascrushing them to the earth.

  One more day we spent in the town, and then it was as if the citizenshad learned all they wished concerning our affairs, for ourquestioners ceased to be curious, and Master Hunter declared that thetime had come when we should return.

  "We will set out to-morrow morning," he said, and Master Howell noddedto show that he was of the same mind. "Having described to theassociation our journey, and that which has taken place here, therewill be nothing to do until the governor institutes the promisedinquiry into the wrongs of the people."

  "Which will result in yet greater oppression," Master Howell addedmoodily.

  "We at least have done our duty, and will again be in the front ranksof the association when the time is ripe for action."

  Well, all was done as Master Hunter had said. We were on the returnjourney shortly after sunrise, and allowed the horses to take thatpace which best pleased them, for we had no need to make great speed.

  Our haversacks had been well filled at the inn, and we would have noneed of searching for game until two days had passed, when it wasreasonable to suppose we should be in that section of the countrywhere the planters would provide us with food and shelter.

  There was no thought in our minds that any effort would be made tostop us, for now were we carrying a message from the governor, andsuch an one as would go far toward soothing our neighbors who had solately been in arms against those who represented the government.

  At noon we halted an hour to rest the animals, who were yet quitefresh for the journey, and to partake of the noonday meal. Then werode leisurely forward again until about five o'clock in theafternoon, when we were arrived at a plantation where was promise ofcomfortable accommodations for the night.

  "It is better to halt here, at the expense of two or three hours,rather than push on and sleep in the open air," Master Howell said ashe reined his horse in at the door of the dwelling.

  A white man and a negro, one an indentured servant and the other aslave as we afterward learned, appeared in response to our summons,and from them we learned that the planter and his family were inNewbern on a visit to relatives; but this did not prevent us fromreceiving such hospitality as is famous in the Carolinas.

  The negro led our horses to a stable of logs which was situated fiftyfeet or more in the rear of the main buildings, and the white servantushered us into a sitting-room that gave access to the broad,vine-covered veranda overlooking the main road.

  In this last place we were served with light refreshments until ahearty meal could be prepared, and my comrade and I congratulatedourselves on having come across such a lodging, when we had expectedto sleep in the thicket where flies and mosquitoes would disturb ourrepose.

  Our weapons, saddle-bags and haversacks had been brought into thesitting-room, and we could come at our belongings, if we so desired,by simply stepping through the open window.

  The deputies were taking their ease in a couple of hammocks, and wetwo lads were lounging in huge chairs when the clatter of horses'hoofs aroused us all to curiosity.

  Peering out through the vines which formed a curtain in front of theveranda, I saw five horsemen, the leader that same man who had broughtthe message to the governor while we were having audience, ride pastin hot haste and halt a few yards beyond the path leading to the houseas they carefully scanned the road.

  "Yonder men have been following on our trail," I said, giving words tothe thought which was caused by their movements. "Having over-riddenit, they will turn back."

  It was as I said.

  The horsemen rode slowly back to the house-path, gazed toward thebuilding, and continued on at a walk in the direction from which theyhad come.

  "Can it be that Tryon would try to prevent us from reachingHillsborough?" Master Hunter said half to himself, and Master Howellreplied grimly:

  "Those fellows have followed us by his orders, or those of Fanning andEdwards, you may be certain, for they have no personal quarrel withus. It is now known where we are, and I'm of the opinion that we hadbest make preparations for defense."

  "But it is to the interest of the governor that we report to theassociation his reply to our petition," Master Hunter continued withthe air of one trying to read a riddle.

  "So it seems to us who are not in the secret. We need not try to solvethe problem until preparations for defense have been made, since it ispositive those fellows are on our trail."

  I failed to understand how we might turn another's house into ourcastle; but Master Howell was not troubled by such trifles.

  Entering the sitting-room hurriedly, he summoned the white servant whowas supposed to be making ready a meal for us, and hurriedlyexplained to him the situation, concluding by saying:

  "It is likely that we shall be attacked before morning. What wouldyour master do if he were at home?"

  The fellow shook his head in perplexity, and Master Howell added:

  "Having given us shelter we are his guests, and as such he would bebound to aid us, provided we had proven ourselves honest citizens ofCarolina. So much, and no more, you shall do. I am of the opinion thatthey will take away the horses, if possible, and to check such anattempt the animals must be brought nearer the house where we candefend them."

  "There is no other stable, sir."

  "Is there not a store-room where we can stable them for the night? Youcan cleanse it to-morrow morning with this to lighten the task," andMaster Howell held out three silver coins.

  The servant clutched the money
eagerly as he said:

  "Peter the negro, and myself, are the only servants on the plantation.The horses might be brought into the room which is used as a kitchenduring the winter. There is no floor, and a few armfuls of straw wouldmake them comfortable."

  "These lads shall assist you in caring for them at once, and look toit that the saddles and bridles are also brought into the house. Doall you can to aid us, and double that amount of silver shall be yourswhen we ride away."

  It is easier to bribe an indentured servant than a slave, because theformer may be able to purchase his freedom, and this fellow showedevery desire to aid us.

  Sidney and I followed him to the rear of the building while MastersHowell and Hunter remained on the veranda with their rifles in hand,and in a few seconds the negro was made to understand what we woulddo. He brought straw while we led the animals into the house, and whenso much had been accomplished the servants and us lads brought asupply of water from the well, filling every convenient vessel, forthere was in my mind the thought that we might be called upon to standa siege.

  When we had done this much, and we spent not less than half an hour inthe work, Sidney and I went through the house to the veranda where wefound the deputies on guard.

  I reported as to the arrangements we had made, and Master Howell saidapprovingly:

  "It is well. We are now prepared to give those gentleman a warmreception, unless they have some means which we have overlooked ofgetting into the house. You lads are to stand guard at the rear of thebuilding, and if a stranger appears, call upon him to halt; if he thenadvances you will be warranted in shooting. In case the governorthinks to make way with us he will find that he has undertaken quite atask."

  "By calling out the soldiers he could soon put an end to our return,"Sidney suggested.

  "That is exactly what he won't do, especially after we have made ourstory so public in Brunswick. It is not in Tryon's nature to come outlike a gentleman in his usurpation of authority; but he must needsscheme to carry his ends by trickery. If he can dispose of us throughthe agency of these fellows, well and good, for there is littlechance he can be connected with the crime. Have no fear that anypublic movement will be made to deprive us of freedom or life."

  We lads took our rifles and went to the back porch, where we werescreened by the vines, and while the white servant prepared supper andthe black acted as assistant, we watched for the enemy, feeling ill atease, as well we might.

  After having come to believe that our troubles were at an end with thedelivery of the petition, I was particularly cast down at thuslearning that our enemies were inclined to pursue us yet further. Ithad an ugly look, as if Fanning and Edwards, with the possible consentof the governor, were seeking to take our lives, although, study thematter as I would, it was beyond my poor powers to make out how therule of the king in the Carolinas would be strengthened by our death.

  It seemed more as if the discontent round about Hillsborough would beincreased in case we were slain, and that the Regulators would makeevery effort to avenge the murder of their deputies.

  It was all a riddle to me, and after turning the matter over and overagain in my mind, I asked Sidney what he made of it.

  "Nothing whatsoever," he replied with a long-drawn breath. "I cannotsolve the riddle; but this much is certain, that those fellows whofollowed our trail to this house are the same who made prisoners ofMasters Howell and Hunter, and unless we are willing to go to prisonsomewhere between here and Hillsborough, we stand a good chance ofbeing shot."

  "Why do you say 'somewhere between here and Hillsborough'?" I asked inperplexity.

  "Because if we are not murdered outright, it will be to Tryon'sinterest to keep us well hidden from the Regulators, who would useevery effort to free us, and we could not be imprisoned secretlyeither at Brunswick or Hillsborough."