The Indianapolis journal., 1903-05-06
CHAPTER XLVIII.
HOW WE KEPT TRYST AT APPLEBY


nl1er ana L, from the camp OF conference dl
Sherrards Ford.
The military situation, lately so critical
for US, had reached and passed one of its
many subclimaxes. Morgans little army,
with its prisoners still safe in hand, was on
its way northward to Charlottesville, in
Virginia, and only the officers remained
behind to confer with General Greene.
For the others, Huger and Williams were
hurrying up from Cheraw to meet the gen.
eral at Salisbury; and General Davidson,
with regiment of North Carolina volun-
teers. was set to keep the fords Of the Ca
tawba.
AS for the British commanders intend
ings, we had conflicting reports. Two days
earlier, Lord CORVALLIS had burned his
heavy baggage at Ramsour's mill, and so
We had assurance that the pursuit was only
delayed. But whether. when he should break
his camp at Forneys plantation. he would
go northward after Morgan and the prison.
ers. or cross the river at some near-hand
ford to chase our main, none of our scouts
could tell US.
We were guessing at this. Richard and 1,
as we logged on together down the river
road. and were agreed that could my lord
cross the flooded river without loss of time,
his better chance would be to fall upon our
main at Salisbury or thereabouts. But as to
the possibility Of his crossing, we fell apart.
Lacking another drop Of rain, we are
safe for forty-eight hours yet" Dick would
say. pointing to the brimming river rolling
its brown flood at our right as we Jared on.
"And with two days start we shall have
him burning more than his camp wagons to
overtake u.s.
"Have 1t so, II you WILL" said I, to end
the argument. "But this know; were Dan
Morgan or General Greene, or you or /, in
Lord Cornwalliss shoes, the two days would
not be lost"
Jennifer laughed Leave the rest of us
out, Sir Hannibal Ireton, and tell what you
would do he said, mocking me.
We were at that bend in the road where
Jan Howart and his Tories had sought to
waylay us in the cool gray dawn Of GER
tain June morning when we were galloping
this same road to keep my appointment
with Sir Francis Falconnet. A huge rock
makes promontory in the stream just
here and pointed to a waterworn cavity
in it where the Hood Tapped in and out in
gurgling eddies.
you've been sharp to take me up on my
forgetting of the landmarks, but there is
one I've not forgot said /. "One day, about
the time you were getting yourself born, 1
was passing this way with my father and
a company of the country gentlemen. Twas
in the seven years war. and the Cherokees
were threatening us from the other side
The river was in flood as it is now; and 1
fot -ipo bat MI
see that hole in the rock. Macgowan's ford
would be no more than armpit deep"
"So?" said Richard; then it behooves us
to-" He stopped in midsentence. drew rein
and shifted his sword hilt to the front.
What is it?" asked.
For reply he pointed me to a canoe half
hidden in the bushes where roadside and
river-edge came together.
1 laughed. IAN empty pirogue. Shall we
charge and run 1t through?"
Hist said he; "that canoe was afioat a
minute since. Mark the paddle-'tis dripping
yet"
AS he spoke an Indian stood up in the
bushes beside the pirogue, holding out his
empty hands in token of amity. We rode up
and were presently shaking hands with our
old-time ally, the Catawba.
glad; wah. Make think have to go to
Salbury to find Captain Long-knife and
Captain Jennif'. Heap much glad!"
"Chief Harris?" 1 Queried. WHO may he
be?"
The Catawba drew himself. up and
drummed upon his breast.
ly. aThe great war chief" by which we
understood he meant General Greene SAY
all Catawba take warpath gainst redcoat
make Uncanoola head man; give um new
At this we shook hands with him again.
we'll pleased that our stanch ally should
have recognition at the hands of the gen.
eral. Then / would ask If he were on the
way to raise his tribesmen to fight with u.s.
"Bimeby: no have time now; big thing
over yonder.'' pointing across the river.
"Manitou Cornwally fool great war chief,
.How is that?' said Dick; and the query
ELECTED a bit Of news to make us prick our
ears The Catawba had been in the British
camp at Forneys, posturing again as a
Cherokee friendly to the Kings side. Some
sudden movement had been determined
upon, though what it was to be he could
not learn. At the end of his own resources
he had crossed the river in stolen pirogue
to find and warn us.
What say you, Dick?" asked. when we
had heard the Catawba through.
The lad was holding his lip in his hand
and scowling as one who pits duty against
inclination.
"'Tis our cursed luck!'' he gloomed. Then
when the air was cleared, let me have what
was in his mind
After all. tbs like enough we should find
Appleby house deserted. Gilbert Stair will
cling TO Lord Cornwallis's coat-skrt as
long as he can for sheer safetys sake. At
all events, our business must wait; the
country's veal comes first" Then to the
Indian: IF we can make the beasts take
the water. will you ferry us across, chief?'
The Catawba nodded. and made the nod
good by setting us dry-shod on the farther
bank of the brown flood. By the time we
had the horses rubbed down and resaddled
twas twilight In the open and night dark
in the wood; but we were on our own
ground and knew every bypath through the
forest
So, when we had sent the Indian back to
carry news of us TO General Davidson at
the lower ford, and 10 advertise him of our
purpose, we mounted to begin a scouting
haunt. keeping 10 the wood paths and bear
ing cautiously northward toward the enc
my's camp at Forney's plantation.
At times were close upon the British
sentries. with every nerve strained tense for
fight or flight; anon we would be making
wide detours through bog and fen, or be-
meath the black network of wet branches
with the rain-soaked leaf beds under foot
to make the horses treading as noiseless
as a cats.
''None the less: in the fullness of time
twas near about midnight guessed
tive had our patience well rewarded.
Hovering on the confines OF the camp We
heard the muffied drum-tap of the reveille,
and soon there was the stir of an army
making ready for the march.
(Which way will IL be. north or south?'
whispered Dick, when we had dismounted
to cloak the heads OF the horses.
1--WE shall know shortly said I; and
truly. we did. being wel-nigh enveloped
horse deploying to pioneer the way. When
we had sheered off to left this skfrmsh