The Boy Spies with the Regulators. Otis James
that I shall be able to do so," I hastened to make answer. "My father cannot give me the money, and the little I had hoarded up from the sale of my furs, went toward paying the last levy made against our poor home."
"It looks much as though both Clare and I might soon join Masters Husband and Hunter at Hillsborough, for I have heard it said that but a short time will be allowed us of the Carolinas in which to gather the money to pay the tax, so eager is Governor Tryon to build his palace," and as he spoke Sidney tried in vain to appear unconcerned, but I, who knew that which was in his mind, had good proof that he was in deadly fear of the arrest concerning which he spoke so glibly.
"Aye, lads, the time will be made short indeed. I hear that Lawyer Fanning is issuing warrants for those who are not down on the governor's books as having paid the unjust assessment. You are like to be deprived of liberty soon, unless – "
"Unless what?" Sidney asked eagerly as Master Peyster hesitated.
"Perhaps it is wrong for me to speak further without knowing of what minds are your parents."
"That can be easily learned; our fathers have not the money with which to pay their own tax, after giving up all they owned to aid in satisfying the thirst for gold with which the king's officers in this colony are afflicted," Sidney said with a laugh which had in it nothing of mirth.
"Then how will you answer the collectors?" old Jacob asked, eying us sharply.
"If it so be I can find a hiding-place, there will be no answer given," I made haste to reply. "Sidney and I were discussing the matter even as we met you."
"By joining the force which Ninian Hamilton is gathering you may be free from the sheriffs for a time; but it is possible that by so doing you will be charged with treason."
"Do you count on serving with him, Master Peyster?" Sidney asked, and the old man replied quickly,
"I have already set down my name as one who will serve the colonies to the best of my poor powers, for I am of the Regulation, as are your fathers. I am but now summoning all of the association to the rescue of those who are so unjustly imprisoned – those who were taken because they put faith in Tryon's sworn word."
"Where may Master Hamilton's force be found?" I asked eagerly, for now my mind was made up to join those who would measure strength against the king.
My plight could not well be worse in case I should be charged with treason, for of a verity the inability to raise such an amount of money as the hungry officeholders demanded was, in the Carolinas, a greater crime than that of conspiring against the king himself.
"The rendezvous is near Chapel Hill, where the highway crosses the New Hope River. You will not be welcomed, however, unless you go armed, for the association can provide neither weapons nor money."
Having said this much old Jacob spurred his horse on, as if afraid of saying anything which might influence us in our decision; but he need not have been so particular, because even before he ceased speaking both Sidney and I were resolved.
The dear lad turned to me with a question in his eyes when Master Peyster rode away, and I answered it by saying:
"There is naught else left for us to do. From what the old man said we know that the sheriff's officers will soon be at our heels, and anything is better than rotting in Hillsborough jail."
"Then we have only to turn back for our weapons, and the treason is complete," he said with a laugh, wheeling his horse around as he spoke.
I could see nothing of mirthfulness in the act we were about to commit, although I was none the less determined to join Master Hamilton's forces.
This hurried visit to our homes would be the last, perhaps, forever, and even under the most favorable circumstances, hiding as we should be from the sheriff's officers, neither Sidney nor I would be able to visit our loved ones, save by stealth, until many months had passed.
I say again, it was a desperate act for two lads hardly more than sixteen years of age, and yet there appeared to be no alternative.
We rode to our homes swiftly, and without indulging in conversation; each of us had so much food for thought that he could not speak of ordinary matters.
The Hubbard plantation was no more than two miles from my home, and it came first on our road.
I remained outside, not dismounting, while Sidney entered, and when perhaps half an hour had passed he joined me, turning his head ever so little lest I should see traces of tears on his cheeks.
He had with him his rifle, a brace of pistols which had been his father's, a new hunting knife, and a package which I fancied was made up of provisions.
"Did your father make any protest?" I asked while he was mounting.
"He set off for the rendezvous an hour ago," Sidney replied, doing his best to suppress a sob. "Mother believed it was best for me to join him rather than go to Hillsborough jail, and did what she might to hasten my departure."
When he was mounted we rode on to my home, and he remained outside while I broke the news to my mother.
She, dear soul, was not surprised. Old Jacob had stopped there to summon father, who was one of the Regulators, and almost before I could speak she clasped me to her bosom, saying gently and lovingly:
"Yes, you must go, my boy, and my share of the heavy burden which the Lord has laid upon the colony will be to remain here alone, trembling at every sound lest it betokens the coming of some one who brings tidings that my son or my husband has been killed. If perchance such a blow is dealt me, I shall know that you died like brave men in the performance of duty – for it is your duty to aid the oppressed. Do not delay, gather up such articles as will be needed, and then kiss me farewell; I cannot linger on the parting."
In less than half an hour I joined Sidney, giving no heed as to whether he could see the tears in my eyes, and during a full hour we rode at a gentle pace towards the rendezvous without speaking.
In that time it seemed to me that I had passed the age of boyhood and was become a man, for of a verity I had set my face towards a man's work whether I might accomplish it or no.
Then we both struggled to throw off the grief which enveloped us until the day was like unto the night, and spoke of what might be done if all who had joined the Regulation came forward in response to duty, little dreaming of that dreadful day when so many of our friends and neighbors would lie stark and cold upon the field of battle.
It was but natural that we should speak of the possible glory to be won, and not to be wondered at that each of us believed he could perform all which might be required. We had yet to learn how great was the task set the men of the Carolinas before the yoke of the oppressors was finally thrown off.
From our homes to New Hope River was but little more than twelve miles, and when we judged that half the distance had been traversed we drew rein to give the horses a breathing spell, for they had traveled ten miles or more before we came upon old Jacob.
We drew from our store of provisions sufficient for the noonday meal, picketed the horses where they might feast on the rich grass, and gave ourselves up to a brief time of repose.
The meal had no more than been eaten, however, when hoof-beats in the distance told that a horseman was approaching, and I seized my rifle, for the sorrows which had been mine during the day made me apprehensive of danger from every point.
"Don't be foolish," Sidney said sharply. "It will be said that we are afraid of our own shadows, if some friend finds us ready for an attack. There are others beside ourselves who will ride to New Hope River this day, and he who comes is most likely one of Master Hamilton's party."
"If so he is headed in the wrong direction," I replied; but I drew back from my weapon nevertheless, and an instant later regretted having done so when Sandy Wells, one of the sheriff's officers, rode up beside us.
"We are well met, young sirs," he said in a mocking tone as he drew from his pocket two folded papers. "I was but this moment counting the miles 'twixt me and your homes, for if I mistake not you are Clare Butler," he said looking at me, and, turning toward my comrade, added, "You are Sidney Hubbard."
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