The Boy Spies with the Regulators

I motioned Sidney to accompany Master Howell, and he, eager to hear all which might be said, readily acceded to the mute suggestion.

In another moment I was alone, peering out into the darkness with every faculty on the alert, and thus I remained until half an hour or more had passed, when my comrade returned.

"Well?" I asked impatiently, burning to learn the result of the conference, for I had worked myself into a fever, trying to imagine what else we might do save await the preparations of our enemies.

"It is decided that we leave this place about midnight," he said in a cautious whisper; "that is, if you agree to the proposition."

"If I agree!" I repeated in nervous petulance. "What can I have to do with any plan which may be proposed?"

"If we set out it will be at risk of our lives, and the deputies have decided that no move shall be made unless all four of us are fully agreed that nothing different can be done."

"But how may we go or come at our pleasure if the house is surrounded?"

"We can saddle the horses, and mount while yet in the building. Then it is a case of starting with a rush, hoping that in the darkness those fellows will not be able to shoot us down."

"We are to run away, then?" I asked in surprise, for it had been in my mind that both Master Howell and Master Hunter would insist on fighting, however great the odds.

"It seems necessary to do so if we would see our friends again, and the deputies believe it is of the utmost importance the Regulation be acquainted with the fact that all manner of treachery will be brought to bear, rather than do us justice. Therefore we will run instead of fight. Our horses are as fresh as theirs, and we may be able to give them the slip. In case we are brought to bay, it is better, so the gentlemen have decided, that we stand opposed to five or six men, rather than a large body. Are you agreed?"

"It is useless to ask such a question. I shall do whatsoever the deputies think best."

"Then, if that be your mind, the time may come when you will be called upon to act what appears to me like a cowardly part."

I was amazed by this remark, and it can be readily supposed that I insisted upon an immediate explanation.

"The deputies are agreed that in case we are brought to a standstill, you and I are to make our way to Maddock's Mill without regard to them. They will fight, whatsoever the odds, for the sole purpose of allowing us to escape."

"Why have they grown so careful of us?" I cried, never dreaming of that which would have come instantly into the mind of a quicker-witted lad.

"It is that we may carry the news to our friends. Masters Howell and Hunter will sacrifice their lives in order that the members of the association may be informed of the exact situation of affairs."

I made no promises; timorous though I was, there could be, so I said to myself, no time when I would feel warranted in leaving comrades or companions struggling against a superior force. The Regulation might forever remain in ignorance of what had been said at Brunswick, before I would write myself down such a coward as to seek safety while others of my party were in peril.

Luckily Sidney did not exact a promise from me on this score, and when Master Howell came to where we stood, he believed I had fully agreed to all the propositions.

"Sidney and I will saddle the horses when the time comes, and you and Hunter will only leave your posts in order to mount and make the rush. There is opportunity for us to gain a couple of hours' sleep. I will stand guard in front, Sidney is to remain here, and in due time you and Hunter shall act as sentinels."

I was not disposed for slumber; but this was virtually a command, and without hesitation I went into the sitting-room.

Here I soon fell asleep, despite the fear in my heart, and when Master Howell aroused me, at the expiration of two hours, it was as if I had but just closed my eyes.

Then I performed the part of sentinel, when the hours seemed as long as the time of repose had been short, and it was as if the night had passed before Master Hunter came to announce that the moment for action had arrived.

Then he went back, leaving me with the blood bounding through my veins, and my heart throbbing violently, for I believed that one or more of us would soon be in another world.

As had been agreed upon, Master Howell and Sidney made ready the horses, and the words were passed to the front veranda that that post be vacated.

Now we moved swiftly, mounting the horses while they were within the makeshift of a stable, and when all were in the saddle Master Howell paused to say:

"I will lead the way, then comes Clare, Sidney, and lastly Hunter. Ride in close order, and at full speed."

The indentured servant stood near the door, yet holding the money which had been paid him according to promise, and our leader rode out into the darkness.

At a foot pace we went around the building, until coming to the path leading into the road, when Master Howell struck the spurs deep, his horse darting off like an arrow sent from a bow.

At that same instant came the crack of a rifle; I heard the ball whistling a few inches above my head, and said to myself that if the enemy shot as well as that in the beginning, they must succeed in winging all of us before we were well under way.

The fever of excitement was so great upon me that I cannot well say exactly what happened during five minutes after we emerged from the stable.

I only know that a volley of musketry rang out; that I fired point-blank at a man who suddenly appeared from out a clump of bushes, and cheered when he fell. Then it was as if a fierce conflict was being waged all around us, and that we rode through the showers of bullets until gaining the main road, when our animals stretched themselves to the race.

I came out from the dream into which I had been plunged, when Master Howell shouted to know who had been hurt, and each in turn declared that he was not even scratched.

It seemed almost impossible we could have come through that shower of bullets without being riddled, yet such was the case, and then I wondered whether the horses had fared as well.

My steed was going true; I could feel the play of his muscles beneath me, and knew beyond a peradventure that he like myself was yet sound in wind and limb.

"They aimed too high!" Master Howell cried exultantly. "If the scoundrels had turned their attention to crippling the animals, our chances would have been slim. Huzza for the Regulation!"

Then we four who had ridden out from the shadow of death gave voice to our triumph, and from the rear came a yell of rage, telling us that it yet remained to shake off the pursuers who were bent on taking us, dead or alive.

"Keep your horses well in hand," Master Hunter cried. "There's a long race ahead of us, and we must not wind the beasts."

Our leader set the pace, riding only to keep beyond rifle range, and we four came alongside each other until we filled the road so completely that had any unfortunate been ahead on foot we must have trampled him down.

It was possible now to converse, and I fancied also that the animals traveled more easily by thus being in company.

When an hour had passed and we were come to a stream, the deputies and I dismounted, standing side by side in the road, while Sidney gave the horses water enough to wet their throats, and loosened the girths that they might regain their wind, for all four were well nigh blown.

We there stood ready to fire in case the pursuers came up before the steeds were ready for the road again, and word had been passed that we should give our attention to crippling the enemy's horses rather than the men.

During fifteen minutes did we remain with rifles in hand ready to be drawn to the shoulder at the first show of a pursuer, and then the chase was resumed.

We had gained a long start of Governor Tryon's minions; but the halt would enable him to cut down the advantage, and again we rode at racing speed until once more it became necessary to halt.

In this manner was the night spent; we favoring the faithful animals as much as possible, and while they rested, standing shoulder to shoulder ready for a battle.

When morning dawned we could see no signs of the enemy in the road, and this fact troubled me not a little, because I feared that they had taken a short cut unknown to us, and we would soon find them in advance to check our flight.

By riding until nearly noon we arrived at the plantation of William Payne, on whom Master Howell could rely fully, and here we came to a halt, counting to give the horses a long rest.

Our host had two sons, and with such an accession to our numbers we were not greatly dismayed by the prospect of another siege, therefore we dismounted, and my timorousness vanished as I realized that we were now so far from Brunswick there was little fear but that word could be sent to the members of the association even though we should be disabled.

While we ate dinner, which had been hurriedly prepared, and the sons of our host cared for our leg-weary steeds, Master Howell told all the story of our adventures, and the owner of the plantation proposed that one of his boys take a fresh horse for the purpose of making his way to Maddock's Mill with the tidings.

After some little discussion our deputies agreed to this proposition, and before we stretched ourselves out to sleep the lad rode away, counting to change horses at the house of a friend, forty miles distant.

Our mission was thus virtually accomplished, and we composed ourselves for slumber with the satisfaction of knowing that the duty due the association was the same as performed.