The Boy Spies with the Regulators

"You were bravely armed, Master Wells, for the arrest of two boys who are worth in the eyes of Governor Tryon's law but one dollar and a half per head, and in fact, not the value of a penny."

"I shall live to see you hanged!" Sandy snarled.

"In which case, as I figure it, you will live to a green old age, and it may be, suffer not a few discomforts before you die."

"Now that you two villains have robbed me, I suppose I may go my way," Master Wells cried as Sidney lowered his rifle.

"Not unless your way is the same as ours, for I am not minded to set you loose until after learning what Captain Hamilton has to say on the subject."

"What?" Sandy cried in mingled rage and surprise. "Would you also take me prisoner?"

"It is no more than you would have done by us, and surely turn about is fair play."

Now it was that I lost courage. The crime of resisting one of the sheriff's officers was as great as I felt willing to commit; but to actually take him prisoner seemed the height of folly.

Sidney seemed to read my thoughts in my eyes, for he said quietly, thus showing himself to be the brave soldier he afterward proved:

"We can make matters no worse by taking him to Master Hamilton, and it seems to me wise that we get that gentleman's opinion before setting this worthy officer loose to spread the tiding of our misdeeds. Fanning and Tryon can never overlook the fact that we have refused to pay the tax; but I'm thinking it won't trouble them greatly if Master Wells suffers a little discomfort."

Sandy began to bluster, threatening us with the direst vengeance of his master and himself; but Sidney soon cut the flow of words short by saying sternly:

"You will mount your horse, Master Wells, and also do well to remember that a silent tongue oftentimes stands a man as friend."

Our prisoner ceased his threats, probably understanding that Sidney's temper was none of the best once it had been aroused, and clambered into the saddle obediently, my comrade holding his rifle ready for immediate use in case the fellow made any attempt at leaving us.

Once Sandy had mounted, Sidney fastened his legs beneath the animal's belly, as a precaution against escape, and, bringing up his own steed, seated himself in the saddle as he slipped the bridle of the prisoner's horse over his arm.

If it had been possible to do so without being overheard by Master Wells, I would have tried to dissuade my comrade from this last portion of the business, for it seemed to me that by carrying him to the rendezvous we were but bringing additional trouble upon our own heads without due justification. I was unwilling, however, to let Sandy suspect that there was any difference of opinion between us, therefore held my tongue, meekly climbing into the saddle when Sidney showed himself impatient to continue the journey.

The one fear in my mind as we set out, Sidney leading the way with our prisoner and I bringing up the rear, was that Master Hamilton and his associates would reprove us severely for having brought the officer to the rendezvous, for it seemed certain that Sandy would hamper the Regulators to considerable extent.

However, the deed was done, and I question whether I could have changed the situation in the slightest, however good an argument I might have brought to bear. Therefore it was that I resolved to give Sidney the leadership, obeying his orders scrupulously, and standing by him as a comrade should in case our actions were condemned by the Regulation.

Sandy Wells evidently had no desire for conversation, and we two lads could not speak one with another save he heard every word, therefore the three of us rode forward in silence, keeping a sharp lookout both ahead and behind lest we might inadvertently come upon one of the officer's friends.

There is little need for me to set down all the thoughts and fears which came into my mind as we rode forward, for there is more of importance than my timorousness to be written before I shall come to an end of the sufferings endured by the people of the Carolinas in that struggle which, God be praised, finally resulted in the freedom of this fair country.

It is enough if I pass over the remainder of our journey in silence, and describe our reception when we were in the midst of the men of Carolina who, having chosen Master Hamilton as their leader, were in the act of what Governor Tryon was pleased to term "open rebellion."

The people were gathered in a thick bit of woods near-by the highway, and we were forced to give an account of ourselves to the sentinels before being allowed to ride into the midst of the large assembly, which was little less than a veritable army.

The first person we saw was my father, and toward him Sidney rode, telling our story in few words, after which he asked:

"Does it please you that Master Wells be kept a prisoner, sir?"

"I am at a loss to give you an answer, lad," my father replied in evident perplexity. "It has only been decided that we would release those who are confined in Hillsborough jail, and I cannot guess how the gentleman will view your bold act. Give him into my charge, and we will soon have the case before the Regulation."

He laid hold of Sandy's bridle, leading the horse further into the woods, while we lads were forced to remain where we had halted, because of the crowd which suddenly gathered to learn how we had chanced to come in company with a sheriff's officer.

Once our story was told it could plainly be seen that we had won the good opinion of those who listened, for without exception each man bestowed praise upon us, until my cheeks were flushed a deep red from hearing myself spoken of as a brave lad who would one day do his full share toward freeing the Carolinas from the money-gluttons who were impoverishing the people.

Well, we were made much of, and all with whom we spoke agreed that we should be allowed to become members of the Regulation, as if we were indeed men grown; but I observed with sorrow that every one treated it as a matter of course that we could not return to our homes until great changes had taken place in the colony.

The idea that years might elapse before I could see my mother again had in it sufficient to prevent me from being puffed up with pride because of what was said concerning me, and when the gentlemen were come to an end of questioning us I unsaddled my horse, taking up quarters at the foot of a huge gum tree.

In this army which had gathered responsive to the call of Master Hamilton, there were no tents or camp equipage of any kind. Each man brought everything he might need, including provisions, and the place where the Regulators encamped had more the appearance of being used for religious or social purposes, than as a military rendezvous.

Here and there, wherever it best pleased them, were the recruits which had been so hastily brought together. Horses were picketed where the best feeding places could be found, and their owners lay under the shade of the trees, walked as fancy dictated, or gathered in little squads, having no care save to keep within the lines marked out as the bounds of the encampment.

Twenty or more sentinels paced to and fro, rather for the purpose of marking the limits of the camp than because any attack was to be apprehended, and these were not so strict in their duty as to prevent those from straying outside the lines who felt the inclination to do so.

Sidney found a friend with whom he went away hoping to gain speech with our general, Master Hamilton, and I remained alone a good hour or more, when my father came up in search of me.

"The prisoner will be held until after we have marched to Hillsborough," he said by way of explaining what had been decided upon, and added with a sigh: "It is to be regretted that your evil fortune brought you in Sandy Wells' path, my son."

"It was he who crossed our path, sir," I said, trying to speak in a cheery tone, although my heart was like lead in my bosom.

"It recks little which way it was. What affects us is, that you and Sidney will be forced to remain in hiding, no one knows how long – certainly until some arrangement can be made to obtain pardon for what has been done."

"I thought the Regulators had assembled for the purpose of taking into their own hands the government of the colony, in which case there can be no question but that our sins against the person of Sandy Wells will be forgiven."

"It is not probable that the Regulation will be able to effect any very radical change in the condition of affairs. We shall march to Hillsborough to demand the release of the prisoners, and if they are given liberty, there is no longer any pressing need for us to remain under arms."

"Might the Regulators not also demand that we be pardoned?" I asked, growing cold with fear.

"I question if the gentlemen would be willing, after this display of force in order to demand justice, to ask that an offender against the laws of the colony be forgiven."

"Then what is to become of us?" I cried in fear. "Surely these gentlemen will not deliver us up to the king's officers!"

"Certainly not; your deliverance must come about without the aid of the Regulation, however. If it becomes necessary for you to remain in hiding, go with all speed to your uncle's home in Virginia, on the bank of the Dan River, and there remain until word comes from me that you may safely return."

There was no longer an opportunity for him to give me the advice which I needed. Word was passed from one to another that the order had been given to begin the march toward Hillsborough, and in a few moments all was bustle and confusion as each member of the party made his preparations for the journey.

Half an hour later the Regulators were in line, awaiting the final word, and a goodly array they presented. There were upwards of four hundred horsemen, all fully armed, and at their head Master Hamilton, a patriarch of seventy years.

The word was given, and we set off at a gentle pace, Sidney and I riding side by side, and a short distance in advance of us, Sandy Wells, guarded by two men.

The rebellion against the king's authority was begun, and from that day we might be counted by those in office as traitors to his majesty; but it could never be said that there was any treachery in our hearts against the colony of the Carolinas which we were ever ready to defend with our heart's blood.

The march had been begun near nightfall in order that we might arrive at Hillsborough early in the morning, and since the distance was but twenty miles, we were put to it to keep the animals back, instead of trying to urge them forward.

Some of the men fell asleep in their saddles; but neither Sidney nor I had any desire for slumber because of the disquiet in our hearts. With the exception of Master Hamilton, who would likely be charged with having stirred up the people to sedition, we were in a worse plight than the others, and whichever way the matter turned, it was probable we must hide ourselves in Virginia for a time.

With the rising of the sun our party halted on the bank of the Eno, opposite Hillsborough, and there discovered that the king's officers had received news of our coming, being greatly disturbed thereat.

Twenty or more men were standing near the edge of the river on the Hillsborough side, and foremost among them was Attorney Fanning, he who was equally guilty with Governor Tryon in burdening us with taxes which were beyond our power to pay.

To have seen him then, when he was in fear of his life, one would have said that the Regulators of the Carolinas had no warmer friend than he. When we were drawn up in line, waiting for the word to ford the river, Fanning shouted, holding up a bottle of rum in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other: