The Minute Boys of York Town

by James Otis

  CHAPTER VII

  MORGAN, THE SPY

  When Pierre and I were come to the lower floor I noted that some one hadthrown a bit of wood on the embers, and it was blazing up sufficientlyto cast faint rays of light whereby we could see Uncle 'Rasmus standingmidway between the outer door and the chimney, looking down upon thered-coated man who lay near the fireplace, as if questioning what hisintentions might be.

  Saul stood opposite the stranger gazing at him in mingled wonderment andalarm, while the man himself appeared to be wholly unconcerned andentirely at his ease, as if he was among friends in the one place of allothers he most desired to be.

  It was a strange scene that thus presented itself to me, and rendered soby this seeming Britisher among us who claimed the proud title ofrebels, apparently friendly after having learned what should havebrought us to a speedy military trial, the conclusion of which must havebeen conviction and the halter.

  It was the soldier who broke the silence, as he said with a faint smilewherein was more of sadness than of mirth:

  "By this time you lads must have come to understand that I am a friendinstead of an enemy, and yet I am enlisted in the king's service,wearing this uniform in token of being willing to serve him."

  "You are a spy?" Pierre said thoughtfully, whereupon the strangernodded, and, motioning to the loft above, replied in a tone so low thatwe were forced to gather close around him in order to hear the words:

  "Although the lad up yonder has seen enough to convict us all, if he hadan opportunity to give information, there is no reason why he should belet into all the secrets, and necessity demands that I confide in you.Had it not been that I suspected--in fact, had fairly good proof of verymuch regarding the situation, I would be this night considered adeserter, and no longer able to serve the colonies in their righteouswar."

  "Meaning what, sir?" Pierre interrupted.

  "Meaning that in order to carry information to General Lafayette whichit is important he should know, I would have left the lines this night,thus betraying my mission here."

  "Who are you, sir, if you please?" Pierre asked, for neither Saul nor Ihad gathered our wits sufficiently to be able to question this friendlyred-coat.

  "My name is Morgan; I am better known in the American army as Morgan theJerseyman. It was by special request of the Marquis, General Lafayette,that I enlisted, and were we at this moment at my home in New Jersey, Icould show you such writing from the commander-in-chief, GeneralWashington, as would convince you that while my coat is red my heart istrue blue."

  "How long have you been in the British army?" little Frenchie asked.

  "Since my Lord Cornwallis was in James Town. There it was I enlisted,representing myself as a Tory at heart who had been forced to take uparms in the American army, and thus far, as it seems to me, I haveconducted myself in such manner as not to raise any suspicion regardingmy purpose, else had I long since been dancing with nothing beneath myfeet."

  "And you say you knew during this last day what was our purpose incoming here?" Pierre continued.

  "I suspected it, lad, because of seeing this old negro stealing into thecabin yesterday morning just before daylight, and, wondering what hispurpose might be in coming here, I kept close watch over the buildinguntil I saw you lads enter it and afterward wander around theencampment. You did not cloak your designs so closely but that awatchful Britisher might have had an inkling, for I noted more than oncethat you were taking careful heed to all the fortifications, althoughwhy you lingered so long near the quarters of Simcoe's Rangers I failedto understand."

  Then little Frenchie told him what our original purpose was in coming tothe town of York; explained that we would have been Minute Boys untilthe time when we were forced to take Horry Sims a prisoner, andotherwise gave all the details which he had passed over when he firstgave up his heart to the man who had seemingly made us captives.

  "Now if you please, sir, will you tell us why you would have beencounted a deserter from the British army if you had not had yoursuspicions aroused regarding us?" Pierre asked in conclusion, and Morganreplied promptly:

  "It is absolutely necessary General Lafayette have early information ofthe work which is being done here in York, and in order that there maybe no uncertainty as to getting word with him, some one must set offwithout delay, for, unless I mistake, the American forces will besiegeCornwallis as he lays here in much the same as a trap, after which to goback and forth between this place and Williamsburg will be exceedingdifficult. If I myself go then I must be absent such a length of timethat I shall be set down as a deserter, and could not return save atcost of my life, whereas one of you lads could repeat my words to themarquis as well as I."

  "Why not more than one?" I asked in my folly, thinking that two mightmake the journey with greater safety, and Morgan replied with a smile ashe motioned toward the loft above:

  "What about the lad whom you must guard as you would your own lives, forverily his escape would mean your death? Since only one is really neededto carry my message, at least two should remain behind to play the partof jailors."

  "I will set off at once," Pierre said without hesitation, and I knew thedear little lad was burning to do something of moment; but there cameinto my mind like a flash of light, that he was the only one of us whocalled ourselves Minute Boys, who had sufficient wit and cool judgmentto keep our secret in case any suspiciously inclined red-coats shouldventure into the cabin. Therefore it was I cried quickly and decidedly:

  "No, no, Pierre; not you! If Horry Sims is to be held prisoner, you arethe only one among us fitted to take charge of the scoundrel. But foryou he would long since have told the Britishers of our coming into thistown of York, and, having proven yourself capable of conducting such agame as we are playing, it is your duty to remain here in charge."

  "Then who will go?" and Pierre looked from Saul to me, and back again toSaul.

  I waited while one might have counted five to learn if my cousin waseager for this mission which promised somewhat of danger--very much ofperil if he who left the village was seen going in the direction of theAmerican lines, and since Saul remained silent, I said with so much ofcheerfulness as I could command:

  "I am the one to go. I know well the road from here to Williamsburg, andit may be that my father is among the troops there, in which case Ishall have no trouble in getting speech with the French general."

  It was quite plain to me that Pierre would have insisted on his right toplay the part of messenger between spy and general; but I was not mindedto be left in such a delicate position as must be that lad who remainedto guard our secret, and without giving him a chance to make protest Icontinued hurriedly, as if he was indeed my superior and I forced toobey him:

  "Let me go, Pierre dear; I am too thick-headed to be left in chargeshould more dangers arise than already surround us. You have alreadyshown your adroitness in crawling out of narrow quarters, and thereforemust remain here."

  Up to this time Uncle 'Rasmus had not spoken. It was as if he failed,even after all that had been said, of understanding the true situation;but now it appeared much as if the truth had burst in upon him, for Isaw what was like unto a sudden flash of light come over his black,wrinkled face, as he stepped forward to lay his hand on Frenchie'sshoulder while he said gravely, and with more of dignity in his mannerthan I had ever fancied the old negro could assume:

  "Your place is des' here, honey, here wid Uncle 'Rasmus, an' Marse Fitzis de one to go kase dere's a chance he'll meet wid his father. I'se'lowin' it would do Missey's heart good ef she could get word from Marsestraightway frou de chile's lips. Stay whar you is, honey, kase I'segwine to be needin' you mighty bad."

  Why Uncle 'Rasmus was so eager for me to act the part of messengerrather than Pierre, I failed to understand; but it gave me wondrousrelief of mind that he did interfere, and the little French ladimmediately stepped back a pace or two from the fireplace, as if to sayhe would make no protest.

  Then I, to clench the matter, fearing le
st Pierre might reconsider hisapparent determination to remain, asked the red-coated spy what messagehe would have carried to General Lafayette, and when it was his desirethe messenger should set out, whereupon he replied by demanding:

  "Tell me what you lads saw to-day while taking note of thefortifications?"

  I repeated that which Pierre had impressed upon my mind, and in orderthat little Frenchie should have due credit for the militaryintelligence displayed, I explained that he it was who had given me mylesson as we walked, and he it was who had surmised that a battery wasto be placed here or a redoubt there, whereupon Master Morgan said in atone of approbation:

  "You may set it down that your friend is a keen lad; one who keeps hiseyes wide open and understands whereof he speaks. There are many men whocould have walked through the town of York this day and not seenone-half, nay, not one-quarter, for you have placed a redoubt here onthe right and there on the left, which is as yet hardly begun. How knowyou, lad, that such works are to be put there?" and the spy turnedtoward Pierre as he spoke.

  "I knew that if my Lord Cornwallis was fortifying this town against asiege he would need redoubts to the right and left of the village nearthe river, and, indeed, the ground has already been broken for suchworks."

  "You must have seen somewhat of military movements in this short life ofyours?"

  "My father was a soldier," Pierre said proudly. "I have heard him andhis friends discussing their campaigns and sieges until it seems to me Ishould be able to say with somewhat of reason how a town like this couldbe fortified."

  "I give you credit for stationing the grand battery near the church. Tomy mind, Cornwallis counted on putting it farther to the westward, butnow I can see that you are right." Then, turning to me again, the spycontinued, "You will say to the marquis when you have speech with him,that I sent you, not being able to leave the village, as he can readilyunderstand, and, after giving a description of the fortifications, saythat much of the information has come through your friend, a littleFrench boy, who seems to have a better idea of military works than aJerseyman like myself. Let him know that one of his countrymen has beenthus keen in finding out the plan."

  "When am I to go?" I inquired, and Morgan said quickly:

  "As soon as may be now that you have the message. There is no reason whyyou should linger, and if you go at once I can point out the safestplace to make your way through the lines. An hour later I must be inquarters lest suspicions be aroused."

  I confess to a weakness of heart on learning that I was to set off on amission without delay. When I had proposed to act the part of messengerthe work was seemingly in the future, and I did not give much heed tothe possibility of danger until he set the time for departure so closeat hand. Now I could see before me all the perils which might beencountered, and imagined many that might never come my way; but Istrove to the utmost to prevent the others from reading by my face thatwhich was in my heart, putting on a bold front as I buckled my belt abit the tighter, and turned toward the door as if to take my departure.

  Morgan rose to his feet, and Uncle 'Rasmus seized both my hands in hisas he whispered softly:

  "Take care ob yoursef, honey, take care ob yoursef. Make a straightgetaway for Williamsburg, an' don' go gallivantin' 'roun', kase dere'sdanger from de time you leabe here till you get inside de rebel lines."

  I had had a certain affection for the old negro before this moment, butnow something akin to love came into my heart because of the anxiety hedisplayed concerning my welfare, and I returned his handclasp heartily,saying in what I strove should be a cheery tone:

  "Don't let your heart be troubled about me, Uncle 'Rasmus. I'll pullthrough without difficulty, for the road is short, and I have had somuch of rest this day that I am fitted for travel."

  Little Frenchie patted me on the shoulder; but remained silent. Saulstood shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, not attempting tobid me good-bye, nor even to meet my gaze, and I understood that he wassaying to himself with shame that he ought at least have striven to actthe part of messenger, rather than held his peace, which was much thesame as showing that he did not dare make the venture.

  I had no time to give further heed to the surroundings. The red-coatedspy had taken me by the arm and was hurrying me out of the house,doubtless fearing lest I grow timorous because of parting words, and heprevented the others from following by closing the door quickly behindhim.

  Moving cautiously and not venturing to speak, he led me a certainportion of the way across the village toward the west, as if I wascounting on going to my own home, and when we were come to where a lineof entrenchments was but just begun, he whispered softly in my ear:

  "There are but three sentinels on this end the line, and you should beable to make your way past them. Go straight ahead until coming to theroad which leads to your home, and then strike off to the right for theWilliamsburg highway, after which the way is clear unless Britishscouting parties are abroad. Move cautiously; take plenty of time untilyou are outside the lines; then see to it that you waste not a singlemoment, but push forward at your best speed, for the new day is near athand."

  Having said this, and once more pointing out the direction in which Ishould go to best avoid the sentinels, Morgan turned abruptly, leavingme to my own devices, and during the half-minute I stood thereirresolute I felt more desolate and with a greater sense of abandonmentthan ever before or since, however desperate the situation.

  Now was I indeed embarked in the business of spy; now had I set my faceon that road which led to a shameful death in case I was taken prisoner,and while I would not have exchanged places with the lad, I regrettedthat Pierre, not I, had set out to do this work, for I doubted my ownability. In event of being overhauled by the enemy and questioned, I wasnot so quick of wit and ready of speech as the little lad from NewOrleans, and would fall in many a trap of words where he could passsafely by and with seeming honor.

  Fortunate indeed was it, so far as my own good name was concerned, thatI did not stand there many seconds in the darkness reflecting upon whatmight be before me, else had I become so timorous that I believe of averity I would have gone back to old Mary's cabin, admitting to mycomrades that I dare not go further on the venture.

  Luckily, however, a sense of shame at my own cowardice urged me forward,and when I heard the footsteps of the sentinel giving token that he hadgone toward the other end of his beat, I crept softly along in acrouching posture, even though I might not have been seen in that densedarkness had I walked erect, and, having covered a distance of fiftyyards or more, I was come to the road which led toward the Hamiltonplantation.

  In front of me was the way which, if pursued, would have brought me tothose I loved, and to safety for the time being, instead of which Imust turn my back upon it, and go on the road where I might reasonablyexpect to meet with the enemy, for it was not likely my Lord Cornwalliswould remain quietly in York Town without striving to learn what hisadversaries were doing, even as General Lafayette had striven toascertain when he sent Morgan to enlist as a British soldier.

  It pleases me to be able to say now, that when the moment came to set myface away from home and toward danger, I did not hesitate. Believing Iwas so far from the enemy's lines that I could safely advance at a rapidpace, I set off at a lope which I knew from past experience I could holduntil having traversed the distance from York Town to Williamsburg andback again.

  The old adage that he who crosses a bridge before he comes to it is afool, was proven in my case. From the moment of insisting that I shouldbe the one to act as messenger, there had been before my mind all kindsof dangers to be encountered, and I had vexed myself with the beliefthat there was hardly more than one chance out of twenty that I could gothrough in safety, and yet I did, never seeing friend or foe until I wascome, as nearly as I could judge, to within a mile of where Morgan hadsaid the Americans were encamped.

  Then suddenly, while I was half-running half-walking along the highway,dreaming no evil, came a voice from the t
hicket on my right, shouting:

  "Halt, or I'll fire! Halt, I say!"

  "HALT, OR I'LL FIRE!"]

  On the instant I obeyed the command, my heart standing still as it werewith terror, for I made certain I had blundered upon a British scoutingparty, and one can well fancy the relief of mind which was mine whenthere came out from amid the foliage a man in the uniform of our ownVirginia riflemen, who was followed by two others, and I knew I had beenstopped by a friend to the Cause.

  By this time, it is needless for me to say, the new day had come, andthey could see me as clearly as I could them, therefore I counted onbeing given a friendly welcome, instead of which he who acted ascommander of the squad, and I counted he was a corporal at the veryleast, asked as if in anger:

  "Where are you from in such haste, and where going?"

  "From York Town, and with a message to General Lafayette."

  "You from York Town?" he cried with a coarse laugh. "You from York Townwanting to see the marquis?"

  "Ay, that I am," was my angry reply. "Why should I not come from York,and why should a boy of Virginia not carry a message to a general who isserving in the American army?"

  "There is no reason why he should not, providing it was being donehonestly; but there are Virginians who would go from Cornwallis toLafayette on anything rather than honest business. If you are acting asmessenger, who in the town of York would send you?"

  For an instant the name of Morgan trembled on my lips, and then Irealized in what danger I might put the spy by thus proclaiming that hehad enlisted in the British army, while the man, seeing me hesitate,laid his hand heavily upon my shoulder, as he said in what sounded verylike a tone of triumph:

  "If you were bent on honest business there is no reason why you shoulddelay in saying who sent you. It looks to me much more as though youwere one of the Tory spawn that infest Virginia, and were counting onlearning what you might concerning our people."

  Now indeed was my anger aroused, and I ministered to the suspicions ofthis zealous patriot by giving way to it. Instead of speaking himfairly, as Pierre Laurens would have done had he been in my place, Imust needs fly into a temper, asking if he saw on my face anythingbetokening a Tory leaning; if he could not recognize an honest lad whenhe saw him, and all that sort of foolish talk which only made the matterworse, whereas if I had explained on the instant who I was, then wouldhe have had no doubt.

  The result of my folly was that not only the man who acted as spokesman,but both his companions, were straightway convinced I was playing thepart of a British spy--that I was one of those vile things known as aTory, who was willing to work whatsoever of harm he might to his owncountry.

  At once I found myself a close prisoner, being seized by both arms andmarched in triumph up the road by these men who I must confess weredoing no more than their duty, and being given no further opportunity tomake explanation.

  During two or three minutes I held my peace, the anger in my heart beingso great that I could not think clearly, and then, realizing that thetruth must be shortly known when I was brought before the marquis,General Lafayette, as in my folly I believed I would be, I set abouttelling that which had best been told before I gave way to anger.

  "My name is Fitzroy Hamilton," I said, striving to speak in a friendlytone. "Surely you know the Hamilton plantation, and that my father is inthe American army?"

  "Who in the town of York sent you with a message to the American lines?"the man demanded.

  "That I cannot tell you; but General Lafayette will know, for it is fromone whom he sent into the village."

  "That won't do. If you had come from a friend to the Cause, there wouldhave been no reason why you refused to give his name instead of flyinginto a passion."

  I realized only too well that there was much of truth in what the mansaid; but did not give over striving to convince him of my honesty andloyalty to the Cause, until he angrily bade me hold my peace, saying Ishould straightway stand before those who would know how to get thetruth out of me.

  Then it was I begged him to carry me before Virginia soldiers, if indeedthere were any under General Lafayette, claiming that they would knowwho I was, and most like have come in touch with my father, whereupon hesaid with a sneer, as if my prayers had only strengthened hissuspicions:

  "If indeed you were a loyal Virginian, you would know from the uniform Iwear that we are riflemen, and you are in the presence of three of thosesame Virginian troops you claim to be so eager to meet."

  This last was enough to silence me finally. I had made another mistakewhere Pierre Laurens would have come out triumphantly, for I didrecognize the man's uniform, I did know he was a rifleman, and hadsimply meant to ask that he carry me to some other Virginian who mightbe willing to listen more patiently, whereas, instead of conveying suchidea, I gave him to believe I was wholly ignorant of how our people whowere fighting for the Cause should be dressed.

  It is not to be supposed that I was thoroughly cast down by thus beingmade prisoner, for I knew before many hours had passed I should findsome one who would believe my story, at least, so far as to give me aninterview with the marquis, and once I had repeated what Morgan told me,there could be no question but that my honesty would be established.

  Therefore it was I walked on with my captors almost cheerfully, and theywho at first had watched me as a cat watches a mouse, expecting I mightmake some attempt at escape, began to treat me in a more decent fashion,thereby causing me to believe they were beginning to suspect I had toldsomewhat of the truth.

  There is little need why I should go into detail concerning this part ofmy poor attempt at playing the spy, for it had no other result than myown discomfort for the time being, and served to show me, if indeed Ineeded to be shown after all Saul had done in the town of York, that thelad who gives way to his temper, whatever the situation, acts foolishlyand to his own harm.

  As I had guessed, we were less than a mile from the American line when Iwas made prisoner, and within a very short time my captors were haltedby the outposts.

  He who acted as the leader of the party gave the countersign, andstraightway I was conducted into the village of canvas tents andshelters of brush-wood until we were come to a marquee, in front ofwhich the American flag was floating and two soldiers stood on guard.

  Here I was left seated on the ground under the care of one of the menwho had captured me, until a full hour passed, and then to my greatrelief of mind and wondrous joy, none other than my father came up,welcoming me with all the love which I knew full well he had in hisheart.

  It needed but few words to explain why I was come to Williamsburg, andthen my business was speedily transacted.

  If it had not been my own father who conducted me, I would have said Iwas being played upon for a simple when I stood before him whom theycalled the Marquis, General Lafayette, for he appeared to me no morethan a boy, hardly older than Pierre Laurens, and because of not havingyet breakfasted he was in partial undress, therefore wore no insignia ofrank.

  It was necessary my father prompt me before I found my tongue to repeatthe message, and I fancied the marquis himself must have understoodsomewhat of that which was in my mind, for he took me by the handkindly, asking what it was I would say to him, and but for thedifference in the faces I might have said it was little Frenchie withwhom I was speaking.

  I contrived to gather my wits, however, in time to prevent myself fromacting like a veritable simple, and on the instant I announced that Ihad come from a Jerseyman by the name of Morgan, who could not get outof the town of York without deserting from the British lines, not onlyGeneral Lafayette himself, but all others in the tent were eager tohear what I had to say.

  Then it was, and feeling by this time much more at ease, I repeated allthat lesson I had learned from Pierre, until having described thefortifications as they then existed, and told of those which wereevidently intended to be thrown up.

  I would I might say that the young French general praised me for mybravery in bringing the
information; that I was complimented by all theofficers for having shown so much of courage as to walk that shortdistance from the town of York to Williamsburg, and that my fatherclasped me in his arms calling me a hero; but I cannot tell such a storybecause nothing of the kind happened.

  It was as if all those men who were serving the colonies looked uponthat which I had done as a simple and a natural act; as if it requiredno more courage to set out from York than if I was to have gone from oneend of the plantation to another.

  True it is the General thanked me for that which I told him; butstraightway the words were out of his mouth he turned to the officersnearabout and began discussing the news while one of them sat down at atable and attempted to draw the fortifications as I had told him theyexisted, or were about to be built, and no one gave any heed to mewhatsoever save my father.

  And I must also confess that even he whom I loved so dearly did notspend overly much time in caressing me, nor did he utter one word ofpraise. It was to him that I had simply done what any lad of Virginiashould have done, and he was satisfied, rather than proud, that I hadacted the part.

  "It is well you should return at once, my lad, and since I see no goodreason why you should not do so, I advise that you make your way aroundby our home, so you may tell your mother what you have seen. I sent amessenger to her yesterday; but she will be pleased to get laterinformation from the mouth of her own child. If you are an hungered wecan give you food."

  I was hungry; but after having failed of receiving the receptionaccorded a hero, and being treated as if I had done nothing of moment,my folly got the best of me once more, and instead of saying that itwould refresh me to have food, I declared there was nothing to preventmy setting out on the return journey at once.

  If I had counted that this might remind my father of his neglect tobestow praise, then did I make a grievous mistake, for he took me at myword without parley, saying:

  "Very well, my son, perhaps it is as well that you should not lingerhere, lest there be spies in camp who would recognize you when youre-enter the town of York. I will go with you as far as the outposts soyou may have no difficulty in leaving the lines. It needs not that Ishould remind you of your duty to Virginia, and urge that you continueas you have begun. It would have pleased me far better were you in theranks, even though you served as a private, rather than playing the partof spy; but since it has been brought upon you by the force ofcircumstances, we must accept the situation as it is, and pray to thegood God that you come to no harm."

  This last served better than any other words could have done, to show mehow foolish I had been to give way to irritation and disappointmentbecause I had not been received as a hero, when I had done nothing asyet to win a hero's crown, and, thoroughly ashamed of myself, I claspedmy father around the neck, kissing him again and again, mentally askinghis pardon for having been such a simple, yet not daring to put theprayer into words lest he should come to learn that his son was so greata fool.

  The good man talked with me as he led the way toward the outposts whichI must pass, telling me of the great hopes in the breasts of theAmericans that Cornwallis would speedily be overcome, and otherwisediscussing the affairs of the colonies, rather than private matters.

  I now believe he did so because of not daring to give words to hisaffection for me, lest he weaken my heart when he would have it stout.At the time, however, it surprised me, because he had ever been a mostloving father, who took pleasure in showing his love; but I laid it allto the door of a soldier's anxiety at this time when there was so muchof vital importance to the colonies at stake.

  Within an hour from the time I first had speech with General Lafayette Iwas alone on the road, not that which led to the town of York; butrather across the peninsula to the Hamilton plantation, and thedangerous journey which was to win me so many laurels was finished withno more peril, nor more of adventure, save when I had been accosted bythe American scouts, than if I had walked into my mother's drawing roomat night-fall.