Sarah Dillard's Ride

could be utilized, Nathan made the pretense of consulting with

t be given up to Colonel Clarke's men, although, as a matte

l Charles McDowells, you promising me in his name that I

that we can arrange it. Come this way, Evan," and Nathan stepped aside a few paces to give the Tory an id

e and Nathan stood at such a distance from the p

known if he has given the correct information, and we will make it plain that should h

edcoats may come this way on a scout, and if we should chance to fall into the hands of

oment longer, and then returning to the te

y you as prisoner to Evan's father, promising in his name that you shall be treated the same as any Britisher that might be captured. Should, however, it be discove

he truth," Ephraim said in a tone which convinced his hearers that, perhaps

ently after a brief paus

all I te

en has Majo

ow what I heard a commissary sergeant say, which was that the

moun

of King's Mountain, which is about tw

ar fro

less than an

any other weapo

N

king's soldiers, a

e two hundred of hi

major chanced to take tha

were gathering in large numbers, and the major esta

has he b

o d

he intends mak

ike to stay there a long while-at least until re

you on the trail, how many are sco

s twenty who set

soldiers o

them Tories, but neverth

said grimly, "but I'll venture to say there are very few who are both Tory a

rce I only did my duty, for I was serving the king, and should loo

your allegiance last winter

ade no reply, and Ev

, and it stands us in hand to return to camp as soon as may be, if

Ephraim cried, beginning to fear lest his capto

can learn any more than he has told us," Nathan said half to himself, "and it app

teps, for there yet remains twenty-six or tw

forces encamped?

, when it was told him that some of the rebels-I mean your fri

must march not more than three paces in advance of us, and remember, Ephraim Sowers, if you make any movement which has the appearance as if you were trying

we set out the better

have remonstrated against being forced to make so long and hurried a journey; but under

hen set off as if eager to arrive at the destination, his captors meanwhile

through the thicket, and the remainder over the trail, save to say that both

ten minutes at a time, lest by remaining quiet to

mall in quantity that it served hardly more than to whet their appetites, and when, shortly after sunset, they we

en it was learned who they brought with them as prisoner, it appeared m

men, who insisted that the Tory should be hanged offhand for his crime; and but little attention was paid to t

in our word he has given us valuable information concerning the enemy," Nathan cried at the full

on's troopers down to Greene's Spring that

gs of the boys, alternately praying that they would

th with him, and he who lays a hand on the

ely the boys would have failed in their purpose but that Colonel Wil

was saved for the time being, for the colonel, calling for the Virginia force, formed a guard around the

hat the young scouts had acted wisely in returning, for they placed every dependence in the statements m

d when, an hour later, they returned to Colonel Mc

aring for the instant lest his father had forgotte

cited that I doubt if I could have held them in check. Your spy has bee

the journey just ended, and when this ha

change his plans, and lead us a long chase. We have nine hundred men well mounted, and these will start within an hour, continuing the march until t

hers, intrenched as they are on the

d whip them too, till there shall be no more left of this forc

?" Evan asked anxiously.

lads, and better you should fol

might miss the battle

were better

of working hard for the cause, we would be given

nto the combat?" Colonel M

so, sir, although, as I have confessed to Natha

erhaps it is time we should know whether you are of the right strain. You shall rid