Sarah Dillard's Ride

f Broad River, and near the site of what is now know

September day in the year above mentioned, two lads,

y whose name is so prominent in the early history of North Carolina; the other, E

ed either among the American forces, or with those hardy pioneers who were then known as Mountain M

Cornwallis at Camden. Tarleton had dispersed Sumter's forces at Rocky Mount, and

n South Carolina, and in punishing those "rebels" who, despite their many reverses, were yet am

he oppressive yoke of the British had utterly failed, and even the most sanguine despaired of being

unk of a fallen tree, resting from the labor of seeking food-for this hunting trip had been made for serious purpo

said sadly, "for how is it possible our people shall gather

y uncle, Colonel Shelby, or Lieutenant-Colonel John Sevier, have laid down their arms? Or even if those three are subdued,

y be, and it seems to me that now has come the time when we mus

ll were as faint-hearted as you, Evan, then indeed ha

ty equipments, and little or no money, even attempt to hold their o

believe to be a certainty. The desire for freedom has not been crushed out from the hearts of the American people, and whi

could bel

ther thus d

now near two weeks, as you

he fireplace of her own home, while the Britishers were about, in order to car

ch is more, mayhap, than

called the neighbors together, and by such show of strength recovered the property. With women like your m

hroughout the colonies. Then we had more money, and it was not as difficult to find recruits. Now ten dollars in paper is hardly wor

se only with th

n, if you can imagine that noise to

t it is not for you and I to talk of political matters, when both are really in the same way of thinking

eard the hoof-beats of horses in the distance, and started up in what w

" Evan said, turning as if to flee; but his compa

d by the redcoats. Surely there are none nearabout here, and even though there

, but turned as if unwilling, w

even true they may be nearabout, for we have heard that General Cornwallis was bent on sending a f

; but I refuse to be alarmed without cause, and the idea that the Britishers would ride into this thicket is-They are r

e any attempt at flight. Both knew, from reports which had been spread through the country, of outrages committed among even those who were not in arms, what it might mean to fall into the hands

at resistance might be offered, and indeed it would have been in the highest degree foolhardy to ha

r of a mile away they were in full view, their red coats showing in vivid contrast among the green leaves, an

ries, clad in the ordinary garb of the country, and the

t had been told by those who brought the information of General Cornwallis' movements, th

frightened lads, by asking in a loud

o doubt, who lie in wait to do mischief when it m

er to get meat for the family," Nathan replied, speaki

h you. How long has it been that you of the C

olony, quartering themselves upon those wh

those who rebel against their lawful king," and the major made a thre

ear; but Nathan boldly held h

t two lads like us m

th rage, and motioning for one of

ndy words with their betters. They shall talk in

ed even as the man seized him by the arm. "Would you carry away f

thers?" Major Ferg

han replied. "My m

continued, tur

Charles M

hem well, my man, for I doubt not these two, innocent as they w

to deny that we have done aught against the king, save it be a

n at home where they belong, instead of hatching treason, and I could then, perhaps, clear this portion of the colonies of every male inhabitant who is old enough to be

speak with some of his followers, and the trooper who was bidden

ere bound behind their backs securely with leathern straps; the fowling pieces and the scanty store of ammunition were take

courageously. "Do not give yonder redcoated brut

from home, Nathan, and it may be tha

f how much weight, think you, tears and prayers be upon such as our captor. It would please him wer

hy you should anger him by bold

ome with the sight of our tears. Hold firm, Evan McDowells, as your father and your mother would do were they in like situation, and mayh

tune," Evan replied, with a long-drawn s

and it was evident that a p

trooper stood guard over them four or five paces away, giving no

ame into view two hundred or more men on foot, the greater numbe

en exchanged salutations with the members of the advance party, it could be seen that they all formed one company under

officer in the uniform of a captain brought word from the major to the man who was guardi

ne midway of the column, and thus hemmed in on every side they were forced to adv

er of the boys fell slightly in the rear, and then a blow from the butt of a musket would warn h

onversation of a private nature was possible, and in silen

ishers, for there seemed little reason why so many men should penetrate this mountain

y, and then the foot-soldiers were arrived at a small valley w

caring for the horses, and all so intent upon making themselves comfortable that it was as

ill standing where they had been halted,

et until morning, for so nearly as I can make out foo

s pass," the soldier said petulantly, for Nathan had spo

ither wear red coats nor are willing to

given an opportunity of getting my rations," the soldier said, and a m

as to the probability of their being provided

hment, and if I was I question whether mu

le keeping close guard over the two lads, who were so weary from the hunting of the forenoon and the march of

ount on being starved. It is a pity, since we were to be made prisoners, that this gallant Major Ferguson could n

en from the distance he observed a lad, who, coming directly across t

ent. "If I mistake not, it is Ephraim Sowers, a

their guard could hear every word he spoke. "Ephraim is neither more nor less than a

ment of men," Evan added, "See! He speaks now wi

sterday that he had gold in his possession, I would not believe it; but now it is pla

n a position, if it so pleased him, to give much of valuable information to the enemy. Until this moment, however, there had been no suspicion that he might be tempted to play the part of spy, and his son's arrival at this encampment told

prisoners; then he started suddenly, a flush as of shame came over his face for the instant, and straightening

ng that it went against your stomachs," he said tauntingly,

ernly, forgetting all his fears now in the anger he felt that this

t you two kn

e as a visitor-one who has seen these men before, t

e?" Ephraim asked, an evil

s been seen this night, I am thinking neither you nor your peace

t has been seen, the rebellion will have been crushed out, for now that you