The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-11-27
REBECCA, THE DRUMMER.

1t was about o'clock in the morning
when the ship appeared. At once there
was the greatest excitement in the village.
| 1t was a British war ship. What would
she doo Would she tack around in the
bay and pick up stray coasters as prizes,
or would she land soldiers and burn the
town? In either case there would be
trouble enough.
! Those were sad days, those old war times
of 1912. The sight of British war ship
in Boston bay was not pleasant. We were
poor then, and had no monitors to go out
and sink the enemy or drive them off. Our
navy was small, and though we afterwards
had the victory and sent the troublesome
they often came near enough, and the good
people in the little village of Scituate Har-
Dor were in great distress over the strange
ship that had appeared at the mouth OF
the harbor.
1t was a fishing place in those days, and
the harbor was full of boats and smacks of
all kinds. The soldiers could easily enter
the harbor and burn up everything, and no
one could prevent them. There were men
enough to make good fight, but they were
poorly armed, and had nothing but fowling
pieces and shot guns, while the soldiers had
muskets and cannon. The tide was down
during the morning, SO that there was no
danger for a few hours, and all the people
went out on the cliffs and beaches to watch
the ship and see what would happen next.
On the end of the low sand spit that
makes one side of the harbor stood the
little white tower known as Scituate Light.
In the house behind the light lived the
keepers family, consisting of himself, wife,
and several boys and girls. At the time
the ship appeared the keeper was away,
and there was no one at home save Mrs.
Bates and the eldest daughter, Rebecca,
about fourteen years old, two of the little
boys, and young girl named Sarah Wind
sor who was visiting Rebecca.
For an hour or two the ship tackled and
stood off to sea; then tackled again, and
made for the shore. Men, women and
children watched her with anxious interest.
Then the tide turned, and began to flow
into the harbor. The boats aground on
the flats floated, and those in deep water
swung around at their moorings. Now
the soldiers would probably land. If the
people meant to save anything it was time
to be stirring. Boats were hastily put out
from the wharf, and such clothing, nets,
and other valuables as could be handled,
were brought ashore, loaded into hay carts,
and carried away.
| AS the tide spread out over the sandy
flats it filled the harbor so that, instead OF
small channel it became a wide and
beautiful bay. The day was fine, and there
was gentle breeze ripping the water and
making it sparkle in the sun. What a
splendid day for fishing or sailing. Not
much use to think of either, while that
war ship crossed and recrossed before the
harbor mouth.
About o'clock the tide reached the
high water mark, and, to the dismay OF
the people, the ship let go her anchor,
swung her yards around, and lay about
half mile from the first cliff. They were
going to land to burn the town. With
their spy glasses the people could see the
boats lowered to take the soldiers on shore.
All. then there was confusion and uproar
Every horse in the village was put into
some kind of team, and the women and
children were hurried off to the woods
behind the town. The men would stay
and offer as brave resistance as possible,
The guns were light and poor, but they
could use the old fish house as fort, and
perhaps make a brave fight of it. II
worse came to worse, they could at last
retreat and take to the shelter Of the woods
1t was splendid sight. Five large boats
manned by Sailors and filled by soldiers in
gray and red coats. How their guns gilt
tered in the sun. The oars all moved in
regular order, and the officers, in their fine
uniform, stood up to direct the expedition
1t was courageous company, come with
a war ship and cannon to fight helpes:
fishermen.
So Rebecca Bates and Sarah Windsor
thought as they sat up in the lighthouse
looking down on the procession Of boats
as it went past the point and entered the
harbor.
ooh, if only were man. said Rebecca
"What could you do9 See what lo
of them-look at their guns
81 don't care. I'd fight. I'd use faith
er's old shot guu-anything. Think @
uncle's new boat and sloop."
EYES, and all the boats
:'It's too bad, isn't it ~
Yes; and to think we must hear ant
see it all and not lift a finger to help"
81 don't know. Uncle and father arr
in the village; they will do all they can
"See how still it is in the town. There
not a man to be SEEM"
"They are hiding till the soldiers ar
nearer. Then we'll hear shots and tn
drum
The drum, How can they It's here
Father brought it home to mend las
night"
"Did he9 Oh, then let's
"See! the first boat has reached tn
sloop. Oh! oh! They are going to burr
her."
Isn't it mean"
"It's too bad-too-"
Where's that drum -
"It's in the kitchen"
GIVE great mind to 60 and beat it,
what good would that do?'
"Scare en-
"They'd see it was only two girls, an
they would laugh and go on burning, jus
the same"
"No. We could hide behind the san
hills and the bushes. Come let's"
sob, look look. the sloop's afire"'
"Come, l can't stay and see any more
The cowardly Britishers, to burn the boats
Why don't they go up to the town an
fight like
Come let's get the drum. It'll do q