CHAPTER IV
THE RESCUE

When Sidney had thus announced his purpose I asked myself what might be the chances of success, and after due reflection it appeared to me as if the possibilities were rather in his favor, because it did not seem probable the royalists would anticipate any attempt at a rescue.

They must have overheard the command given us to ride back with all speed, and could hardly suppose two lads like ourselves would take the chances of making an attack, therefore we were likely to find them off their guard.

Yes, so I decided, the scheme might be worked if we proceed cautiously, and even in case we found it impossible to do anything, the delay would be trifling, provided Sidney was willing to give over the effort if a rescue could not be brought about that same night, therefore I asked:

"Will you agree to set your horse's head toward Maddock's Mill by sunrise, in case you fail in the purpose during this night?"

"Yes, that much I promise, for I'm of the opinion that unless the work can be done before to-morrow morning there is no chance for us to carry it through without assistance."

"Then I shall do what I may toward aiding you."

He clasped me by the hand, saying as he did so:

"I knew full well you would not ride away and leave me to make the venture alone."

"I am taking no part in it save as your assistant. You are the leader, and I shall simply obey orders, because I have no head for such work, while you are a born soldier."

Sidney laughed loud and long at my words, and said when it was possible for him to speak:

"Now you are talking nonsense. If we free Masters Howell and Hunter from the governor's friends, it will simply be a case of good fortune, rather than anything deserved because of the intellect brought to bear on the matter. Let us make camp here for a time; the horses need rest and food."

"Are you not afraid that our enemies will get too much the start on us?"

"I am reckoning that we were near their camping-place when the two showed themselves. If they count on carrying our friends back to Hillsborough to give them quarters with Masters Husband and William Hunter, this road is the one they must take, and we shall see the party ride by. In case they have a comfortable halting place, I am counting that the return journey will not be begun until to-morrow morning."

I understood from this remark that Sidney had already settled all the details in his mind, and, therefore, since I refused to take any part in making his plans, there was nothing for me to do save patiently hold my tongue.

We unsaddled the horses, led them into the forest where was a small clearing covered with rich grass, and made a hearty dinner for ourselves from the contents of our haversacks.

When this was done we had nothing with which to occupy our attention, save the task of keeping watch over the highway to make certain the enemy did not pass without our knowledge.

Although I had so readily agreed to aid my comrade, I was far from feeling comfortable in mind regarding the outcome. I knew full well that even in event of success we must run many chances of losing our lives, for now that the royalists had begun to make prisoners of citizens of the Carolinas without legal warrant, they would not hesitate to take the lives of two lads who might interfere with their plans.

To risk our lives in a battle where glory might be won, was one thing; but to be killed like thieves in the night, when none of our friends would be able to say whether we died like heroes or cowards was quite another matter.

Do not let it be understood that I was regretting having agreed to the venture; on the contrary, I would have acted in the same manner had the question been put at that late moment, yet I weighed the possibilities once more, and found them less promising than when first considering the proposition.

We did not indulge in conversation to any extent during that afternoon. Now and then Sidney spoke of the treachery displayed by Master Edwards, and the possible fate of the deputies in case we failed to rescue them; but for the greater portion of the time we remained silent, each giving way, perhaps, to gloomy forebodings.

The sun was no more than an hour high when my comrade said as he rose to his feet and set off toward the clearing where the horses had been left:

"I reckon the time has come for us to make a start. We'll ride to the place where the villains met us, and then you shall take to the woods with the horses, while I follow the trail on foot."

"Why should we not boldly ride down the road until we find ourselves somewhere near their camping-place?" I asked, even after having promised myself to take no part in the plan of rescue.

"Because I'm of the opinion that we shall find the villains within half a mile or less of where we were halted, and it would be a most serious mistake to let them see us."

As he had proposed so we did, and I soon had good reason for congratulating myself that my advice was not taken.

The hoof-prints of the horses told us plainly when we were come to the scene of the encounter, and then, leading both animals, I struck into the woods, advancing slowly because of the underbrush, while my comrade pushed rapidly ahead.

The night had not yet come when Sidney returned, and as I involuntarily came to a halt he whispered:

"They are camped half a mile further on. There are six horses picketed near by, in addition to those ridden by the deputies, therefore I reckon that the odds are not heavily against us."

"Did you see our friends?"

"Yes; they are in a lean-to, tied, and guarded by the negro. We can take the horses within two hundred yards of the place, where is a good bit of grass which will keep them quiet; but it is well to wait here a couple of hours."

Once more we came to a halt, and while waiting until the time for action should come I asked Sidney to tell me how he proposed to set about the rescue.

"I shall find no fault with your plans, for you are the leader; but it is necessary I know fully your purpose, in order to play my part properly."

"We'll leave our horses hobbled, so that we may unfasten them quickly. Then, say in two hours, you and I are to creep around to where their animals are tethered. We must procure two, with saddles and bridles, and bring them to where ours are. Not till then are we to give the deputies any idea of our having disobeyed orders. We should be able to get them away safely, and a start of five minutes will be enough. The rising of the moon is to be our signal for work."

"What about the negro who is on guard?"

"Unless he is different from every other black I ever saw, he will be asleep. If not, or if one of the white men has taken his place, we must fall upon him in such a way that he can make no noise, after which a gag will do the rest."

"Where are the others?"

"In a lean-to nearer the road, and a good fifty yards from where our friends are lying."

The two hours which followed were the longest I have ever known, although since that time I have been engaged in many and more dangerous ventures. Each second seemed like a minute, and I began to think that we had been mistaken in the belief that the moon rose at ten minutes past nine o'clock. The soughing of the wind through the trees sounded in my ears like a prophecy of evil, and the cry of a night-bird came to me like the shout of an enemy.

Had we been forced to remain there inactive an hour longer, I believe of a verity that the courage would have oozed out of my finger-ends entirely; but, fortunately, before I was overcome by timorousness the time for action had arrived.

Sidney led the way through the underbrush, gliding noiselessly along as if we were stalking a deer, and I copied his every movement.

In order to get at the horses we were forced to make a detour through the forest to the rear of the place where the deputies were held prisoners, and this required a good half hour of most laborious work.

Once we were there, however, it became evident that the royalists counted on beginning a journey very shortly, for the animals were not only saddled, but bridled, and we understood that the remainder of our task must be performed quickly, or it might chance that our enemies took to the road before we could warn Masters Howell and Hunter of the help which was near at hand.

Now we did not dare carry our plan to the extent of taking the animals over to where our steeds were hobbled; but fastened them by the bridles in the rear of the lean-to, and then crept cautiously forward.

It was so dark in this place, owing to the foliage, that although the moon was half an inch high, we could not distinguish objects five paces distant, and Sidney let the way by the sense of touch, rather than because of any aid from his eyes.

When we were close at the rear of the lean-to I could hear the sound of heavy breathing; but nothing more, and Sidney whispered in my ear:

"I will make my way through the brush, and you are to wait here. If I should be captured, do your best to carry the information to Maddock's Mill. Don't try to aid me."

I made up my mind on the instant that I would do my full share in a fight before leaving the brave lad to his fate, and as the thought formed itself in my mind he disappeared through the branches which went to make up the shelter.

I listened with painful intentness; but could hear no more than a faint rustling of the brush, and then a man crept slowly out into my arms.

It was Master Howell, and when I would have conducted him to where the horses were tethered, he motioned for me to remain quiet.

Another moment of most painful suspense, during which my heart beat so loudly that it seemed certain our enemies would be aroused by the noise, and then Master Hunter appeared, followed closely by Sidney.

We four crept softly to where the two horses were standing, and my comrade explained to the deputies that we must keep within the thicket until having come to where our steeds had been left.

"We had best turn in the other direction, keeping under cover until you ride by, when we can dash out," Master Howell said, and I was mystified by his words.

"But we shall not ride past here," Sidney replied in a cautious tone. "To do so would be going directly away from Maddock's Mill!"

"Our destination is Brunswick," Master Howell said, as if that was sufficient explanation.

"Brunswick!" I repeated in astonishment. "Surely you are not counting on trying to continue the journey after all that has happened?"

"Of a verity we are," Master Hunter said emphatically. "It is not in our minds to ride back with the story that we allowed ourselves to be frightened by six men after two lads have shown themselves so brave and so quick-witted. Go for your horses, and, having mounted them, ride directly out on the main road, moving cautiously until arriving opposite where these scoundrels are encamped. Then use your spurs; we will join you some distance on."

"But think of the danger which you incur!" I pleaded, although it would have been more seemly for a lad like myself to keep a silent tongue and obey orders.

"We count on presenting this petition to the governor if it be possible to arrive at Brunswick," Master Howell said sharply, and then, by way of putting an end to the conversation, the gentlemen began leading the animals back past the lean-to from which we had so lately rescued them.

There was nothing left for Sidney and I but to perform the parts assigned us, although I am certain there was much the same thought in his mind that filled mine, which was that the latter portion of this venture would be needlessly dangerous and ill-advised.