Sarah Dillard's Ride

ng to the utmost this conve

llard's ride; but on each occasion he had appeared much as if trying to sho

llard was one who was choice of his associates, and it was oft

enger came from Colonel McDowells summoning them to an interview with the commander of the forces from Burke and Rutherf

heir feet, and while walking toward Co

of which to boast in repeating Major Ferguson's message, or summoning friends of the cause to the rendezvous; but yet because of all those adventures have we been marke

Britishers within twenty-four hours," Evan sai

y are only twenty miles

is like to

it be when both side

inding yourself standing mu

ncounter if it could be done honorably?" and halting

," Evan replied hesitatingly; "but I grow timorous at the thought

ughed lon

n herself on more than one occasion to be as brave as the most coura

ldiers during the heat of battle, and f

your behalf. Put such idle fancies from your mind, and when the hour comes that we meet Ma

that they were then arrived at Colonel McDowells' tent, and the subject of the interview for which he

ng marched in the ranks until the day we left Watuga, know full well tha

ed as if for rep

t so spoken amon

e are like to measure strengt

s,

that men who have had more experience in this business will

r our share in the combat," Evan cried, suddenly forgett

lace you in a position more perilous than, perhaps, would be your regular stations in the regiment. I simpl

ing in vain to understand the meaning of this vague

hould have such knowledge. Therefore have I said to those who are associated with me in the command, that we would hold those who had already proven themselves, and send out such as yet had a name to win. The mission is one of extreme danger, and requires most careful wo

e to go, sir

s may be necessary in order to learn exac

re we t

ince we must push forward steadily, and not allow

end any further time in asking questions," N

atter, young Shelby?" Colonel McDowells

low that fact to become known. However, this doesn't seem as dangerous as when we set out about making our escape from the Dillard plantation, and there i

mission as well as the ablest soldier among us. It is necessary you exercise great prudence, however, for should Major Fer

ked nervously, for this reminder of the per

se to his feet as he held

rting, and the lads went directly from this i

refilling the powder horns, and count

the life of one of the men," he said half to himse

captain, it is right the father

he had been imprudent in thus voicing his apprehensions, he whistled a cheery tun

their preparations for the scout, and were

not mean that you are to go blindly ahead without taking due precautions; but it sel

boys marched side by side out of the encampment, the men following them with their eyes

were unfamiliar with the country over

erokee Ford, and along this they advanced at a smart pace, for it seemed

eft the encampment struck them much like predictions of evil, and they w

alt, and up to that time not more than

rather than depressed them, and they discussed the situation

arch, and covered no less than sevente

in hand to have an eye out for redcoats, because they or the

pleasant," Nathan added with a laugh. "Now it is my proposition that

o perform the mission

se that we discover the foe by

waiting here until daybreak will be forced to spend thre

ed in a tone of content, and thus it was decided that they should not make camp unt

again, and, as nearly as they could judge, it was two o'clock in the

d remain concealed from view, and yet be enabled to see any who migh

half-hour they changed positions, so that b

vancing cautiously, halting to listen at every unfamiliar sound, and oftentimes making a detour through the thic

ceedingly slow, and by sunrise they

s correct, they were close upon the Britishers, and might at

n whispered impatiently, after they had literally crawled through the thicket half an hour more, and the words were hardly uttered

trail in a leisurely fashion, as if out for no other purpose than that of a stroll, and Evan

ed away from the camp, while the Britishers were in the best of spirits, laughing

couts that Ephraim stopped, leaned his musket against a rock, an

und when we are like to come upon

vents you from returning to the camp,"

ow full well the orders were that no man

, since I'll go bail there's

jor Ferguson is nearby to overhear the

uch affection for cowards, even though they be spies, and I am willing to wager consider

ce, while Ephraim remained sitting upon the log, and when the last

ed up and down the trail as if in search of something enterta

ainter in the distance, telling that the men were c

ne the cause of freedom such grievous wrong, and each instant th

on in his eye, and the latter unders

cautiously; "but we should not ne

en us and Major Ferguson's force, therefore unless w

d be done

ight be frightened into t

y a prisoner, even though he was their bitterest foe, seemed to be deviating from the course Colonel McDowells had marked out, but yet,

red, and instead of replying, Nathan began creeping cautiously in t

thout alarming the shy birds, and to go through the same maneuvers when a du

g a single twig, and had gained the cover of a bush within

t it was merely to change his position, and after looking up and down the trail, muttering threats against the soldiers becaus

t within three feet

retracing their steps, and whatever the lads co

n that he was ready for the ventur

le instant, and then, darting forward with a sudden sp

; but missed the aim, and Ephraim was enabled to utter one shr

o be prisoners ourselves instead of capturing this sneak," Nathan whispere

an bound the prisoner, and from the time they first leaped upon him until Ephraim's hands were t

back to the camp, and see to it that you wipe out all t

ckage of bulky merchandise, and while Evan carried out the instructions to the

the flight until they were fully half a mile from the trail, and all thi

ration from his face and sat down where he could look full at the discomfited Tory. "By this means we have made certain of coming face to face with

t the sneak, what is

m back to the men of Colonel Clarke's command, who have a score to s

r which was in his heart, and in furtherance of the plan he h

phraim screamed as soon as his

rgiving than I can well believe," Nathan replied ca

er done you any wrong, to where

he force at Greene's Spring were to be massacred?" Evan asked sternly.

ot have ki

d in order to

weaken, but had no thoug

are doubtless eager to meet with this Tory who devoted so much of his time to them, and if it so be we are forced to

w?" Ephraim asked, a ray of

here are, where they are encamped, and such other matters as ma

a battle?" Ephra

o deliver you over to those wh

d likely be his fate, did he fall into the hands of the men who would have been kil

uson's forces, and none can give the information better, for I have been w

was possible to believe a single word you uttered," Nathan s

e told the truth or not," Ephraim pleaded. "Promise that if I give all the information needed you will save my l

asked, as if it was a matter of indiffer

for murdering me! I will answer every question truly, and you shall