The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-02-17
BACOT'S DEVICE.

We're Captain Peter Bacot, John Starke,
young man of 10, and an old continental
from Connecticut, Simon Jones by name.
The three men were marching in q band
of 80, who, three days after the battle,
were being forwarded by Colonel Rawdon
to Charleston, and when they thought of
the dungeon awaiting them there their
hearts were heavy.
The band of prisoners had just entered
upon the lonely read which led through
forest, and, grateful for the cooling shade
on that hot day, guards and prisoners
halted for rest
Young John Starkc, who had been
wounded in tho thigh and had pluckily
continued on the march for fear Of worse
evils if he fell out Of the ranks, turned
ard looked upon the men in the company,
and the sight was not one to cheer him.
Truly his situation was desperate ono,
and with q heavy heart he said to Captain
Peter, Not very much hope here, is there,
captain?"
No." replied Peter Bacot briefly.
"It's RawGon's way, guess" drawled
the Yankee Simon. Hes grown tired of
hanging and shooting helpless men, and
he thinks by sending 'em in TO the Charles
ton dungeon he'll do just as well and saro
lllliSCil al ttlO IL IL JC sulAo
thing III the end"
"1hey say there is lots of smallpox,
John"
"And they say truly" replied Peter.
'Thcy don t half feed tho men, and with
tho smallpox and fever and foul air they
don't have to look after any Of the men
very long"
at saves time and money and guards,
guess" drawlcd Simon again. Il don t
mind seein 'em economical. It's what l
was brought up to myself"
John looked quickly at the old soldier,
but his face was cXprcssionless. He could
not tell whether his Indifference was real
or assumed, but whatever the cause John
had little sympathy with it.
lie could not repress shudder as he
turned again to Captain Peter and said:
as there no hope? Can't VIC make break
and get out of this? We'd better be shot
than dio tho death We'll have to at Charles
ton"
His companion gave no reply except to
glance eXpressively at the guard, and
John, too, was silent as he observed tho
men, What u desperate band they We're!
Surely no mercy was to be expected from
them, and the young soldier groaneu as
he realized his helplessness.
My sister Nancy lives up the road
here" he said at last. shes the only
sister I've got, and she's disgraced the
family by marrying Tory. He keeps the
public house up at the Corners. l wonder
what she'll think of it when she sees her
own brother carried away by her hus-
bands fricnas?"
The word to march on again was given,
and he had 10 opportunity to make fur
Al ~
Bacot was thoughtful and several times
turned to Simon and spoke to him in low
tones. Simon was interested, too, in the
| captains words, for, although the expires
sion upon his face did not change, John
know from his manner that some project
was in his mind. What it was, however,
he could not con lecture.
On marched the men, the silence broken
only occasionally by a growl from some
redcoat or tho sharp word of Captain
Faust, the leader of the guard, to some
lettering prisoner. The heat of the sun
was intense, and the insects that steadily
followed them increased the discomfort of
all. The prisoners uttered no complaints,
but tho murmurings of tho guard grew
| louder and moro frequent. Captain Faust
was beginning to fear that no would lose
control of his men when public house
| came into view, and Il halt was ordered.
SIS this where your sister Nancy lives?"
inquired Peter of John Starko.
eyes, replied John, "but don't know
that she'll do us any good.
81 think she will, said Peter, and in a
| few low words he explained his plan.
John listened attentiyely, and for n mo-
mcnt felt hopeful, but glance at the
noisy rcdcoats brought back all his fears,
| and he said: sit may be well enough to
| try it, but L haven't much hope. Here's
| my sister, now, and Ill see what can be
| done"
Nancy was approaching and looking
with curious interest at the band Of pris-
| oners. Suddenly her glance fell upon John,
| and she was about to utter "a startled cX-
! clamation when warning sign from her
| brother caused her to be silent
Still she approached, and John knew
by the expression upon her face that he
| could depend upon her to do her utmost
for him, for even in those desperate times
''blooi was thicker than water.
| "Wky, John, how came you hercP"
Hush, Nancen' whispered John.
"Come close minute and I'll explain it.
| In few words John hurriedly told his
| sister of their desperate plight and ex-
|
devised. Nancy listened attcntively, and
then hesitatcd before she answered. 1t
was only for a moment however, for she
| quickly said: IN do it, John. You stay
right here, and I'll try my best for you"
| His sister was gone in a moment, and
| John stretched himself upon the ground
| with his companions to await the result.
Not word was spoken by the prisoners,
but each was watching intently the move
ments Of the guard.
| Shouts and Songs soon could be heard
and among tho noisy men they could see
p woman moving here and there, and al
ways with a jug in her hands. An hour
| had passed, and the three prisoners wero
| lust beginning to hope that they might be
| able to make some attempt when Captain
Faust appeared in the doorway and in
| thick voice ordered the men to form and
| advance.
at was Io good" said John despond-
ingly.
"You can't tell yet" replied Peter.
"IIere comes your sister"
| sJohn," said Nancy as she approached,
"I'vo done all l could and will hope for
the best. Here, tlko these quick" she
added as she drew three black bottles from
the folds of her dress and handed them to
her brother. "Be careful. Maybe you can
work your plan yet. Goodby," she whis-
pered rs she turned and left them.
| John thrust one of the bottles into his
pocket and gave his companions the 9th
| ers. and then they arose to take their
places in tho ranks. Tho march was at
once resumed, but the lines of the guard
xrora varv I1nayan now and tho mllrmurs