The Boy Spies with the Regulators

He immediately directed the men to give us passage, and hurriedly we forded the stream, bending our steps toward the court-house after having gained the opposite bank.

It was not a simple matter to make our way through the crowded street. By this time nearly all the people who had encamped in the open air were astir, and every man and boy was pressing eagerly forward to that point from whence came the outcries.

By dint of using our elbows sharply, and forcing aside without ceremony those who barred the way, we succeeded, at the risk of embroiling ourselves in private quarrels, in gaining a position near the center of the disturbance, when it was possible to perceive at a glance that General Hamilton was correct in his surmises.

The visitors were not raising their hands against the soldiers save when great provocation was given; but here and there I could see those who were in some way connected with the government, and among them Sandy Wells, making their way from point to point, dealing blows and uttering insults well calculated to raise a disturbance.

Whenever one of the visitors attempted to defend himself, or would have punished the insulter, the minions of Tryon raised a great hue and cry to bring the solders to that point, after which they slipped off to create a disturbance at some other point.

But for the fact that the visitors had been warned against giving the governor an opportunity for complaint, a riot would have been begun within a very few minutes, and with such a degree of violence that it might have increased to a regular battle; but as it was, our people behaved with remarkable moderation.

I believed that we might do much good by advice, and suggested to Sidney that we go hastily around among the throng, explaining what was the evident purpose of the governor's minions, at the same time advising every one to cross the river immediately, lest by their behavior Tryon should have some color of a reason for postponing the cases which had been set down for a hearing next day.

He was of my opinion, and without delay we began our work, hurrying here or there with such good effect that the people began to fall back before the mischief breeders, instead of pressing forward.

This was not at all to the liking of those who desired to provoke a breach of the peace, and they redoubled their efforts, offering yet greater indignities to the unresisting citizens.

Foremost among these was Sandy Wells, and I made it my business to gain a position close by his side, when I said, holding him by the arm until the words had been uttered:

"Sidney Hubbard and I saved your life this day, as you well know. It can readily be seen what you are trying to do, and unless you cease your efforts I will take good care before the sun sets to-morrow, to inflame every man's mind against you. That fate which was escaped this afternoon shall overtake you within the next four and twenty hours, even though Tryon gives you shelter in his own quarters."

Sandy was a rank coward, as I well knew, and when my hold of his sleeve was relaxed he slunk away among the soldiers, nor did I see him again that night.

During more than an hour Sidney and I continued our efforts, sometimes threatened by the soldiers or Tryon's emissaries, and then the throng had so far dispersed that there were not enough hot-heads left to make any very great disturbance, even though they felt disposed to resist the troops.

"Now the enemies of the colony can do no more than foment an ordinary brawl, which is not what Tryon most desires, and I believe our work here is done in accordance with the general's orders," Sidney said to me as we met among the foremost of the small crowd, within a short distance of where the uniformed men were drawn up in line. "If we are recognized you may be certain those fellows will use every effort to lodge us in jail, and it is wise to beat a retreat while we may."

I was of much the same opinion, and, after gathering half a dozen of the wilder spirits in our wake, we set off toward the ford, hooted and jeered at by those who had most signally failed in the task assigned them.

The sudden change in the situation of affairs was truly surprising. When we two lads first crossed the river we found the streets literally choked with men, women and children who counted on remaining there with the hope of gaining admittance to the court-house as soon as the day dawned; but now it was as if the earth had opened and swallowed all these people.

We did not meet with twenty as we went toward the ford; they had wisely crossed the river, and, once on the opposite side, the Regulators would keep them quiet.

We had checked the governor's scheme, not through force of arms, but simply by removing those who might unwittingly have aided him in his unlawful efforts.

Once the visitors were on that side of the river held by the Regulators, they were unable to go back; but all who called themselves Sons of Liberty would be forced to remain on duty during the entire night in order to hold in check those who counted themselves friendly to the cause.

As a matter of course Sidney and I reported to General Hamilton as soon as possible, and when we had concluded our story the old Scotchman said in a tone of satisfaction:

"I knew full well I could depend upon you lads to do whatsoever was wise. By sending the people over here you have accomplished a good work, and once again is Tryon defeated by your unaided efforts. The Regulation has good reason to count you as valuable members, and when the time comes that this colony can reward the services of those who have aided her, as come it will in due season, I hope I may be alive to make certain you are not neglected."

According to my way of thinking we were already rewarded by such words as these, and but for the darkness Master Hamilton would have seen my cheeks crimsoned with shame because he had given us far more than we deserved.

It was but natural that there should be considerable confusion on our side of the river; all who had lately changed their camping places were seeking for new quarters, and already the slope of the hill outside the lines of our encampment was literally covered with human beings.

The late comers were compelled to find a resting-place on the other side of the elevation, and thus were our horsemen literally hemmed in. If it should become necessary to make a quick movement, it would require some time to clear the ground in order to avoid trampling the visitors beneath the hoofs of our horses.

Every member of the Regulation was now doing guard duty, and as soon as Sidney and I had concluded our interview with the general, we joined our comrades, when the weary work of pacing to and fro was resumed.

At the river front remained a line of Regulators who allowed any person to come over; but refused passage to such as would have gone back, and thus we held the key to the situation so far as keeping the peace was concerned.

Until this last move of Governor Tryon's I think the majority of our people believed the king's officers would not dare do other than give the prisoners a fair trial, although perhaps no one was convinced that it was more than a farce to bring Fanning before the bar.

Now, however, when we had good proof as to the lengths Tryon was ready to go, and could see plainly that he was using every effort to place the Regulation in a false light before the world, there was much doubt as to the outcome of the cases in court.

The Regulators on duty discussed the matter among themselves as if it was a foregone conclusion that might, not right, would rule, and such of the visitors as I heard conversing were loud in their declarations that justice must prevail even though it should be purchased by force.

"There is likely to be hot times to-morrow," Sidney said to me as we halted an instant when everything seemed peaceful. "If we are brought face to face with Tryon's army, much blood will be shed on both sides before the question is settled definitely."

"But that blood will cement the colonies in such manner that oppression in one will be felt by all the others. We shall have effected a union, and what are our lives in comparison to such a consummation?" a voice said, and, turning, I saw Master James Hunter, who had come up in time to overhear our conversation.

"Then you believe we shall fight a battle to-morrow, sir?" I made bold to say, and he replied with a sigh:

"Of that I am not so certain. If we do, the colonies will declare for freedom against the king's rule. If peace is preserved throughout the morrow, then must greater wrongs be endured in order to provoke the people into demanding their full rights."

Having said this the deputy continued on his rounds, and we two lads no longer had any desire to discuss the situation, for it had become so grave, according to Master Hunter, that a bloody battle between us and those on the opposite side of the river seemed suddenly to be really desirable.

During the remainder of that long night we lads did our full share of guard duty, I dwelling upon the possibilities until the old timorousness came upon me, and I was almost a coward.

It seemed to me that death would come within a few hours, and I was already marked out as one of his victims. I found myself wondering if I could march up to the guns of the enemy without betraying the cowardice in my heart, and otherwise spending the time in a very foolish fashion for one who must play the part of soldier.

Never had the dawning of a new day been so much of a relief to me as then. The gray light of morning revealed the multitude sleeping peacefully, and on the opposite bank not even a wreath of smoke showed above the chimney-tops.

The scene brought relief to me, and by the time the sun rose I was able to keep down the fear in my heart, so that no one might suspect that I was in very fact a coward.

It was a wonderful scene when the visitors awakened to life, and began making ready for the coming events which were of concern to all dwelling in America. This day's sun would see the dawn of freedom, or a postponement of that spirit which must in the near future descend upon our people.

The officers of the Regulation went from camp to camp, cautioning the visitors against making any demonstration before the trials at the court-house were brought to a close, and at the ford a group of our best citizens was performing the same task.

If the citizens of upper Carolina made any error on this day it would not be from lack of advice from those who were in a position to know what might be best for the colony.

The one aim of the people was to reach the court-house in order to gain admission as spectators, and although the building would not accommodate one in every hundred who were eager to enter, the thousands flocked thither, jostling and pushing each other in order to get a position among the foremost.

General Hamilton did all a man could to persuade them into remaining at a respectful distance, pointing out the uselessness of expecting to gain admittance; but yet they made their way into the town until our encampment was deserted by all save the better informed – say five hundred men, women and children.

We of the Regulators were ordered to get breakfast as best we might, and then fall into the ranks again, for we were to remain under arms the entire day lest our force might be needed in defense of the citizens.

"Are we like to be called upon for any serious service, sir?" I asked of Master Hunter, who chanced to pass where I was partaking of the morning meal with my parents, and he replied:

"It is hardly probable. Tryon will not attempt any more tricks, now that the time of opening court is so near at hand, and I believe our people will keep the peace, at least until after the decision of the judges is made known."

Then the deputy called my father aside, and the two held such long and earnest converse that I believed our officers were of the opinion the trial would be no more than a farce.

This idea was strengthened in my mind when mother showed such tender affection as I would leave her to take my place in the line which was being formed.

She bade me farewell as if believing we might never meet again, and despite all her efforts the tears came as she spoke.

I was not heartened by this evidence of fear, as may well be imagined, and hurried away to feed my horse in order that I might hide the evidences of my own emotion.