CHAPTER XIV
THE WAY TO CRANBERRY
IT was late in the evening when Tom started from Colonel Simcoe's campin company with the lieutenant, whose name he had learned was Ward, andthe band of six men. A hearty supper had greatly refreshed the wearylad, and although he was aware that his companions were not withoutsuspicions of him, he still had hopes that he would be able to convincethem of his knowledge of the country roads, and then could leave them.His efforts to convince the colonel that he was merely a country lad,who had taken no part in the hostilities, had not been without a measureof success, and if they met with no mishap on the road, doubtless theywould be willing for him to depart.
As to leading the little band into Cranberry, Tom had not the slightestobjection to that, for it would be going directly toward the place whereWashington's army lay, and every step was one nearer the men whom he wasmost eager to join.
The entire party were mounted, and a horse was also provided for Tom. Tobe sure, the steed was not a remarkable one, yet, as the lad looked himover before he mounted, he was satisfied that riding would be mucheasier than walking, and of walking Tom had had sufficient, he thought,on that hot June morning.
"Now, my lad," said Lieutenant Ward, as the party prepared to move, "ifyou do well by us this night, I have two half joes for you in my pocket.On the other hand, if you fail us, or try to lead us into any trap, youshall have a good taste of the lead my men carry, or know how it feelsto dance at one end of a rope with your feet a good yard from theground. You hear what I'm saying, don't you?"
"Yes, sir," Tom replied. "I can lead you straight to Cranberry, but ofcourse I can't tell what men we shall meet on the way. All I know isthat General Dickinson has men out, just as you have."
"Never mind your 'General' Dickinson. I only wish we might have the goodfortune to meet the rebel himself. You show us the way and we'll lookafter any of his men we may fall in with. All we want of you is to showus the way. They won't be likely to be out on the road in the night."
Tom by no means felt so positive concerning that as the lieutenant did,but the word to start was then given, and mounting his horse he departedfrom the camp with the men.
The moon was now full and hung low in the heavens like a great ball offire. The frogs in the swamps were croaking loudly as the men rode past.The air of the summer night was almost motionless, and the heat of theday had only slightly decreased with the coming of the darkness. In allhis life in Jersey, Tom had never known a hotter "spell"--as the nativestermed it--than they had experienced during the past few days. A Hessianwas riding beside him, and Tom could not understand how it was that hestill insisted upon wearing the heavy fur hat in such weather.
So intensely warm was the night that the band were compelled to halt atfrequent intervals to rest their dripping steeds. The occasional breezewas like the hot breath from an oven, and, in spite of the fact that hewas riding, Tom's face was wet with perspiration. The progress wasnecessarily slow, but the lad soon came to Doctor's Creek, and as theyfound the bridge across that stream intact, the lieutenant was pleasedand warmly praised the young guide.
The Assanpink Creek was crossed not long afterwards, and as the bridgeacross that also was still standing, the elation of the leader wasvisibly increased and he ordered the men to halt for another rest. Somewithout removing their clothing waded into the stream, which was narrowand shallow where they were, and led their horses in after them. Theheaving sides of the poor beasts were wet with sweat and foam, and themen themselves seemed to be but little better. Tom thought he had neversuffered more from the heat.
After a rest of a half hour the men resumed their journey. Thus far noone had been met on the road, and the confidence of the band wassteadily increasing, in spite of the fact that they were approaching theregion in which the American army was supposed to be.
Five miles farther on they came to Rocky Branch and the bridge over thisstream was as strong and safe as those they had left behind them.
"The half joes are likely to be yours, my boy," said the lieutenant.
Tom made no reply, for he was thinking that something beside safebridges might be discovered before they arrived at their destination.Only one more stream remained to be crossed, and then they would be inCranberry. Just where they were then to go, or what was to be done, Tomdid not know. Not a word had been spoken to him concerning the object ofthe expedition, and all that he was expected to do was to lead the bandto Cranberry.
"How much farther have we to go, my boy?" inquired the leader.
"That depends upon the place you've started for," replied Tom. "We shallbe in Cranberry after we've gone about ten miles farther, but it coversa good many miles. The township is a big one."
"We'll decide that after we get there. Have we any more streams tocross?"
"Yes. The Millstone river isn't very far away now."
The rests had become so frequent that morning could not be far away, Tomthought. With the appearance of the sun their dangers were likely to beincreased, but he made no mention of the fears in his heart, and theband soon started on again.
When they arrived at the Millstone, the first break in the success ofthe expedition was found, for the bridge was down. This plainly showedthat the Americans were not far distant now, and as the lieutenant drewrein on his horse, he said,--
"This means that Sir Henry will find difficulty in getting his baggagetrain across here. Do you know whether the stream can be forded?"
"Yes," replied Tom, pointing as he spoke to a place a little fartherdown the stream. "We can wade our horses across there."
"But can the baggage wagons be driven through?"
"That I cannot say. I think not."
"We'll soon find out," said the lieutenant, leading the way to the ford.
The men all followed him, but as the water came well up to their horses'flanks, it was at once evident that Clinton would find great difficultyin getting his baggage train across. The party halted near the bankafter they had crossed the stream, and the lieutenant had an earnestconversation with one of his men.
Tom could not hear their words, but he had no doubt that they werediscussing the possibilities of Clinton's march by the way they hadcome that night.
"We'll go on a bit farther," said the lieutenant at last, and the menobediently mounted and followed their leader.
The gray of the dawn had just appeared in the east, and the air wasfilled with the songs of the birds. They were now in the township ofCranberry, and the end of their journey could not be far away, Tomthought, although he did not know what that end was to be. Thus far theyhad come without trouble, but with the coming of the morning, and theirproximity to the American army, their difficulties were likely soon tobe increased.
The men were silent as they rode slowly forward, and were keeping aconstant watch on every side. The sun by this time had made itsappearance, and the day gave promise of being even warmer than thepreceding one. Before them they could see two rude little houses onopposite sides of the road and at the end of lanes which led back fromthe roadside. The one on the left Tom instantly recognized as the abodeof a Quaker named Nathan Brown, or "Friend Nathan," as his neighborscalled him. Many a time had Tom been there, and even then he recalledmany of the quaint expressions of the gentle man who had steadilyopposed all the hostilities, in accordance with his creed which forbadeeven the resistance to tyrants.
As the lieutenant saw the two houses he drew the rein on his horse, andthe party halted.
"It's time we had some breakfast," he said. "I am wondering whether wecan't find something here in these houses. Do you know anything aboutthem, my lad?"
"I know the man that lives in the house on the left. He is a Quaker,"replied Tom.
"All the better for us. I think I'll let you go up to his house, andI'll send a man up to the other. The rest of us had better stay here andkeep watch, for there may be some prowling rebels around here, for allthat we may know."
"I'll go," said Tom quickly. "But I can leave
you then, can't I? We'rein Cranberry now and all you wanted of me was to lead you there."
"Yes, if you wish," replied the lieutenant. "You've done well, but you'ddo better still to go back with us. The rebels are not far away, and youmay get into trouble. You must do as you like, though," he added."You've earned your pay," and he drew the two half joes from his pocketand handed them to Tom.
The lad received the money, no small amount to him, and, after thankingthe lieutenant, started quickly up the lane which led to Nathan's house.As he glanced behind him, he perceived that one of the men had startedtowards the other house, while all the others had dismounted and werestill in the road, although they evidently were keeping a careful watch.
When Tom drew near the house he saw the Quaker standing in the doorway.His broad-brimmed hat and the peaceful expression upon his face were inmarked contrast to the warlike men he had just left behind him in theroad.
"How now?" said Nathan, as he perceived who the approaching man was."Thee travels early, Friend Thomas; I trust all is well at thy house."
Tom quickly dismounted, and in a few words explained how it was that hehappened to be there, and what the purpose of his visit was.
"Thee doesn't say so!" said Nathan in surprise. "And the redcoats evennow are at my door and seek refreshment?"
"They are out in the road. They want some breakfast, and I think they'llpay you for it."
"Friend Thomas, I think I can trust thee. I have known thee since thouwert a little lad. Ah, these are sad times for men of peace! The sons ofBelial are on all sides. Verily, these days are days of wrath."
Tom was puzzled by Nathan's manner and made no reply. The man turnedquickly into the house and soon returned with a well-filled stocking inhis hands. Tom instantly surmised what the stocking contained, for hewas well aware of the banking purposes to which that article of clothingwas turned in many of the homes.
"Come with me, Friend Thomas," said Nathan, grasping a hoe as he spokeand leading the way into his garden. There he dug a hole, and, placinghis "bank" within it, covered it again with the earth.
"But Nathan," protested Tom, "if these men search your place for moneythey'll find this spot, and it'll show at once you've hidden somethingthere. The earth is all fresh and moist here, and it's dry all aroundit."
"Yea, thou speakest truly, Friend Thomas, but I have a thought by whichI may yet outwit these men of war. Tarry here till I return."
The Quaker instantly turned and again entered the house. In a moment heappeared, bearing a large bowl in each hand. One contained water, whichhe poured over the place where his money was concealed, and the otherwas filled with corn. He quickly scattered the corn over the wet ground,and then, turning towards the barn, called, "Chick! Chick! Chick! Come,chick! Come, chick!"
Instantly there was a fluttering within the barns, the doors to whichwere wide open, and the hens came running from every direction.
Nathan's face took on a meaning smile as he watched his flock hasteningtoward him for their breakfast, and then, turning to Tom, he said, "Isit plain to thee, Friend Thomas, that it is still possible for a man ofpeace to outwit these sons of Belial? Now go and tell thy companionsthat such food as I have shall be set before them."
Tom laughed at the trick of the Quaker, and then ran back to his horse,and, mounting, started towards his recent companions, whom he could seestill waiting in the road. Doubtless they were becoming impatient bythis time, and, without waiting to go all the way back to the road, hestopped at a distance and called to them, beckoning with his hand forthem to come, as he shouted.
As soon as he perceived that the lieutenant heard him, he turned aboutand once more rode back to Nathan's house. He then dismounted and tiedhis horse to a post which stood near to the kitchen door.
As he glanced up he saw that the leader was riding alone up the lane andnow was near the house. Just then he heard the sound of a horse behindhim, and, turning quickly about, saw young Lieutenant Gordon dash pasthim on horseback.
Amazed by the sudden and unexpected appearance of his friend, he stoodstill and watched him as he rode swiftly up the lane directly toward theapproaching men. Gordon was leaning low on his horse's neck, and Tomcould see that he was grasping a pistol in his right hand.
Before the startled lad could fairly realize what was occurring, he sawthe young lieutenant raise his weapon and aim it at the approachinghorseman. He waited for the report, but none came. Again Gordon raisedhis pistol, and once more it flashed without a report.
His heart almost stopped when he perceived that the other members of theband had now entered the lane and were riding towards their leader,although as yet they were far behind him. The young lieutenant had alsodiscovered them, and, instantly turning his horse about, dashed back upthe lane, with the British lieutenant in swift pursuit.
Unmindful of Tom, they swept past him, and Gordon turned the corner ofthe barn. Twice around the barn the men raced their horses, and thenGordon turned his horse into the open doorway and dashed through to theother side.
After him followed the leader of the British band in desperate pursuit,and then, as Tom glanced up, he saw his recent companions come shoutingand hallooing into the yard which was between the barn and FriendNathan's little house.
Boys of Old Monmouth: A Story of Washington's Campaign in New Jersey in 1778 Page 14