Sarah Dillard's Ride

een forced to admit, in event of close questioning, that, while eager to bear a full share of all the dange

fety by revealing the secrets of those whom he claimed as friends, that Major Ferguson's force was intrenched after such fashion as was possible

. They were thoroughly well equipped with the best quality of arms, with powder an

oppressor counted the odds. The only thought was that at last the Britishers were where a battle could not b

march as soon as Colonel McD

was much to be done by way of preparation for the unequal struggle, and w

ing able to take any part in the work, and although both were in need of repose, it was impossible to rest a

oissance of Major Ferguson's camp, when Ephraim Sowers was captured, and in the cours

anged him without loss of time, returned to camp in order to accompany his comrades on the march which it wa

couldn't overpower him. He declared that his reluctance to

ears," Nathan replied with a hearty laugh. "When I last

endship, and while calling for assistance, basely fel

d by Ephraim Sowers, who never displayed the slightest semblance of co

hey had captured the Tory, but gave additional details concerning the incident a

ure of Colonel Clark's force at Greene's Springs," Evan said in conclusion, "and while Nathan and I have given our word that he shall be held

e steady man should have been assigned to the work. Abbott means well; but is inclined to be care

be held close prisoner, because it is in his power to give them all needful information as to our probable movements. There can be no

-four hours at least, because he would remain at his own home, and sur

as of such vital interest to the boys that, for the moment, they

r thoughts for some time to come, and soon there was more r

tain, and Nathan and Evan were attending to the steeds which had been provided for them, when a sudden

on could be heard; but it was not possible fo

! It was little less than a

speaking?" Evan

and yet I had supposed he would be

ngs, for certain it is that no one has giv

y spy was of considerable importance, for the cries of anger were redoubled as a full third

he command has been given for us to saddle, the men would not spend valuable tim

n so careless," Evan replied; but there was a sudden tremor of his

rd the throng which was surging around the officers' quarters, until

he Carolinas who should have

t would not now be possible for

be warned of our movements, there is l

t yet Nathan would not credit that which appeared to be a fact until having more definite ass

ting that the officers were guilty of a great crime

tched an hour ago, has given Joseph Abbott the slip, an' is most likely on his way to K

immediately there came to him the knowledge of a

uld be so guarded against that a heavy loss of life on the part of the Americans must

s troops from severe loss, and could, most likely, thwart the patriots at the very mo

he enemies of the colonies, and the knowledge that it was possible only by sheer carelessness on

in, and the more hot-headed demanded that Colonel Campbell and Colonel McDowells should suffer in some way beca

danger much mischief would be done by those justly angry men who believed themselves thus prevented from brea

olonel Campbell were facing the angry soldiers, believing for the moment that an attack was about to be mad

ath of a boy, how ever much injury he may have done, or can yet do u

sed our death!" one of Colonel C

is liberty; but more than that would have been a sta

another soldier cried. "Now he is turned lose to carry Major Fe

how the lad escaped?"

s that her husband has gone

ly true the Tory has escaped; but he cannot have very much of a start, since no more than three hours are passed since he was led from this camp. There are twenty-eight miles between us and King's Mountain. We are ready to set o

at they had been so loud spoken; but the greater number remaine

y son and Nathan Shelby-the same lads who captured the Tory-shall go out in search of him. Half a dozen more will be sent in as many different directions, and instead of standing here indulging in vain words, we may repair the mischief. This, however, I demand, and will consider him my per

hen he is dead!" a troop

us McLeod, to admit that

young Tory. While he lives we know full well all

your encampment; but to-day, with full knowledge of his character, how can he do you harm? When he is taken, as I feel certain he mus

men as if he had done with them,

not hold that you are more skillful or keen on the trail than your companions; but there is in my mind the belief that you will succeed w

r, we shall be deprived of taking part in the battle," Evan sai

f he escapes to carry info

we shall make him priso

carelessness again, or in the custody of any whom you know to be true. We shall ride the direct

had given could be slighted, and while it would have grieved them to the heart ha

de at once in pursuit of the late prisoner, and Nathan whispered to his comrade while th

g cowardly, it is possible we showed a certain amount of fear when brought face to face with the king's troops. Now we h

an replied petulantly. "To me the only thing certain is

than if we rode in the front ranks of those whom I hope will charge Major Ferguson's force before to-morrow night. Let

mmands. To him this setting off on a blind search for the young spy was simply shutting themselves out from all chance of riding wi

is favor of even one hour, it would be impossible for them to overtake Ephraim Sowers, more particularly sinc

ght, and if at that time the Tory was yet at liberty, then might the searchers return to their comrades, for it would be g

ent for a spirited attack or resistance, after which they rode through the encampment,

search of the Tory?" she asked when the

others will ride o

through the fault of my husband that the prisoner escaped; he was left bound by the hands as when brought to our

than interrupted. "The main fact is that he is free, a

bade me say to whosoever might come, that the trail led over the hills to the westward. You wil

would ride ahead if you are able to d

to her husband's keeping had made his escape, gave the boys ample directions for

our having met Abbott's wife. If the trail is well-defined, we shall be able to ride

ter," Evan replied gloomily. "It is a pity we promised the Tory our protec

e captured a lad who was once our frie

hat we were shut out from following tho

"Even a Tory cannot make his way across the country without leaving a trail

ack. If I was trying to escape from mounted men, it would not be diffic

s comrade. "If we hold to it that Ephraim Sowers has made his escape, then is he the same as free, but I shall continue to claim we have fair chance of ov

s a rebuke, Nathan struck his horse sharply with the spu