"There's been no rupture yet?" Ram felt deflated.
"No, we're each merely baring our teeth. I've scout boats cruising off the St. John's mouth—which they protest—and their boats spy on us here." And, when James heard that some of Ram's riders would soon arrive, "Capital! We've not a horse on the island. If we're to meet young Delegal when he lands, we'd best begin walking."
They started, accompanied by Hilar}', other servants and several Yamacraws. The forest stretched from the town's outskirts to the island's southwestern tip; but to seaward it ended abruptly at the edge of a long salt marsh, which gave good protection against surprise. The trail ran between the marsh and the forest's eastward fringe.
James was so busy writing messages and sending them back to Frederica by Yamacraw runners, it was not until they halted to eat that Ram could tell him about Bacon's attempt on him and its outcome.
"So they'd weaken us by assassination!" But James was dubious of Wall's use as a double spy. "If he truly loves his sister, he'll get some word to ye, however false. Yet if ever the Spaniards suspect him, he'll wish he'd been hanged in Charles Town. D'ye think this plot's against us all, or just you?"
"Probably myself alone—yet. Though I've an enemy, I doubt he knows where I am, so it's likely it's because of my Augustine visit. They doubtless think my death will deter other British spies."
"Then guard yourself always. Now let's march. We need time to mark out the fort before the troops arrive."
In two days the soldiers had thrown up revetted earthworks and gun platforms. The Squire and Ram then chose another site farther west, to command the inland way, and be named Fort St. Simon's. When back at Frederica, however, Oglethorpe grew so worried at lack of news from his scout boats, he decided to seek them himself, and left Ram to supervise the work of Fort Frederica and organize the town militia.
Peg-Leg arrived, a swivel mounted in the piragua's bows. Ram, riding Alan, had Hilary and the five other Shoreacres men parade before him, equipped and mounted. They wore blue coats faced with red, cocked hats, breeches and boots covered by long deerskin overalls. Each was armed with a musket, two pistols and a saber and, for work afoot, carried a pair of moccasins.
Ram's chief assistant in fort building was John Mor Mackintosh from Darien. His military knowledge, he admitted, stemmed from his being out with his clan for James Stuart in 1715; but he had added to it since by a study of books on tactics. Leader of the Darien settlement, he was a tower of strength.
The weather turned stormy and when days passed everyone began worrying for Oglethorpe's safety. Ram, however, felt sure James had sheltered in some creek mouth until the weather cleared.
Volunteers arrived from the north: the Lacy brothers sent some men; others came from Savannah; and Carolina planters came, rowed by slaves. They were a motley crew, but Ram gave all their duties.
Captain Gascoigne's sloop of war Hawk crossed the bar and dropped anchor, having sailed from its station at Charles Town. Lieutenant Delegal, Sr., and the rest of the Independents arrived in piraguas, bringing artillery. And Mary Musgrove came with many Uchee warriors.
Then Oglethorpe himself returned having, as Ram had suspected, sheltered from the storm at St. Simon's Island. The reason for lack of news from his boats was because the commanders hadn't understood the importance of sending back negative reports.
The Hawk had brought him letters, and that night, as he and Ram sat over their wine, he grew jubilant. "Walpole's peace policy has lost. Merchants, whose ships are being taken by the Dons, demand war. They're using one Jenkins, a sea captain who had his ear cut off by a guarda costa back in '31, to stir popular opinion."
"If war comes, invasion here's certain then?" Ram queried.
"True. Now, even better news. I've a certain 'friend' at the Court. Before I came away last time, he hinted if regulars were needed, I'd not be refused permission to raise a regiment. So, if now we can reach a treaty, however temporary, with Augustine, I'd best return home and learn if he's still of the same mind."
Grinning, they toasted the "friend," who, Ram realized, was George II himself.
"Now, you," }ames resumed. "You've had more war training than I, but would you consider serving in my possible regiment?"
"Of foot? Lud, how I'd hoped to raise dragoons of my own! But, yes, James, I'd be honored to serve under you."
"As my lieutenant colonel, of course," Oglethorpe added eagerly. "Perhaps I but dream, for politics and policies change overnight, but I think we'll get our regiment."
After they'd toasted the future Oglethorpe's Foot, Ram said: "Why can't we use spies ourselves? They're to be had for pay."
"Pay? The trustees would never agree to using funds for such a cause. Besides, our Parliament grant's already o'erspent this year and I'm having to use my own credit."
"Damme, I must know who's ordered me murdered! I'll gladly use my own money to pay double-dealers like Davis to report what goes on in Augustine. And why not get information from the English South Sea Company's agents in Cuba? If the Dons have a doctor nosing through our colonies, why not have our spies in theirs?"
"Capital! And if your funds run out, count on me for more."
Again their glasses raised, and it was late before they slept.
Deciding that the Georgians had grown too strong, the Spaniards reverted to diplomacy. William Horton was freed and returned to report that Dempsey would soon come back also, with Spanish emissaries to work out details of a settlement.
"x^nd examine our defenses," Oglethorpe surmised. "Well, we'll treat 'em civil but let 'em see nothing. What's your idea. Ram?"
Ram stared at the Hawk in the harbor. It wasn't a ship-of-the-line, but its open gun ports looked menacing. "Wliy not receive 'em aboard her? She's as large as any in these waters."
So, when Dempsey arrived with Colonel of Horse Don Pedro Lamberto and Governor's Secretary Manuel d'Arcy, Captain Gas-coigne greeted them aboard the Hawk. The crew manned the shrouds, the marines paraded on the poop and thirty of Hugh Mackay's Highlanders lined the waist.
As if casually, Gascoigne pointed out a squadron of horse riding at the forest's fringe near Fort St. Simon's. Actually, the "squadron" was merely Ram and his six men who, in single file, were vanishing into the woods and re-emerging upon the tail of the last rider, thus creating the impression of a long line of cavalry.
Next, Oglethorpe, with Ram and both Delegals, put off from shore. As he was piped aboard, a salute was fired, to be answered by Fort St. Simon's—by rapid reloading, the Independents made their few cannon sound as if each of fifteen guns had fired only once. These salutes were continued by Fort Frederica and even distant Darien, to convince the emissaries that Georgia had now enough artillery to sink a fleet.
After Oglethorpe had received the Spaniards' credentials, Tomo-chichi, Hillispilli and the Yamacraws, together with Uchees and other Creek tribesmen, came aboard and, through Mary Musgrove, demanded justice. A year before, Spanish Indians had killed some of a Creek hunting party north of the St. John's River, in territory the Creeks had always claimed as their own.
Ram grinned inwardly at Secretary d'Arcy's look of terror at this demand. But Don Pedro, of sterner breed, disclaimed all responsibility, saying that he had been away in Mexico at the time. Governor Sanchez, he added, had regrettably allowed Pohoia, King of the Floridas, to send a party north to hunt, not to make war. When the Creeks still demanded vengeance, he swore to have Pohoia executed —if he could be found.
After an elaborate banquet, the emissaries were rowed ashore and accommodated for the night in two large silk-lined tents. Sentries were posted, ostensibly to protect them from the Spanish-hating Creeks, actually to prevent them from creeping out to spy.
The meeting had displayed Georgia's strength, and Oglethorpe, Ram, Gascoigne and Horton drank bumpers to their success.
The success was almost too great, for during the night the Creeks, in deadly earnest about their wrongs, tried to attack the Spaniards in their tents, and only swift in
tervention by the Independents prevented a massacre.
When the emissaries left, taking Dempsey with them to arrange a convention of amity, Oglethorpe went to Savannah and Charles Town, while Ram took his horsemen home, where a letter from Sue awaited him. All was well at Dalesview, she was delighted the baby would be bom there and she longed to see Rob, though she was heartsick that Ram himself couldn't come.
It was still too soon, of course, to hear from Lucinda.
As of old Maria Bland cared for him. "Oh, sir, and little Emma, she's a rare lass," she beamed. "She was most fearful at first of being scalped by Indians, but now she's settled down finely and she's learning all the children their letters."
"Is she, egad? Well, she may seem tame to you, Mrs. B., but she still wants to cut my heart out for bringing her here."
He wasn't wrong. He came upon her surrounded by the children, who were scratching the alphabet on slates. At once her rosebud lips thinned and hatred showed in her gray-blue eyes.
"I trust your captivity's none too close," he began, "I—"
"Davie!" she called, ignoring him. "How often must I tell you 'A' is made with a bar across it? Do it right this instant."
Furious, he went his way. Since Joseph and Maria were now eating at Shoreacres, so was she. And however much she hated him, he was master here and must at least be accorded civility.
Nell Lann sought his advice. If it weren't for Davie, she explained, she could marry one of the Fort Argyle rangers. "But who wants another man's bastard, sir?" she sighed.
"Leave the lad here. He's of my blood, Nell, and I'll care for him. And if ye do wed, there'll be ten guineas for your portion,"
"Eigh! Wi' that to talc' 'im and no Davie, Ranger Toby wull be that more eager ti 'ave me, he wull an' all!"
"I'll ride up and see him. And when his service is done, should ye wish, I'll see you have a parcel of land nearby and stock for it,"
"Eigh, Muster Ram, you are a chip off t'owd block! Laike owd Mistress, She looked after 'er own fowk too." Weeping happily, she planted a damp kiss on his astonished lips, and fled.
Next day he rode to the fort, deciding that Rob must acknowledge Davie, who was growing more like him daily.
Ranger Tobias Yarrow was a slow-spoken Carolinian, When he heard Ram's offer, he rubbed his chin, "Major, suh, I'd ha' taken Nell befo', for she's a rare lass. Only I want sons that's not by ary other rogue. Thankee kindly fo' her portion."
The wedding, they decided, would be at Shoreacres and Ram would give the bride away. "We'll have a feast to celebrate it, too."
He started homeward, enjoying the afternoon air. Maria must find linens and other household goods for Nell, he planned. Then he remembered that she still had a husband, though Lann was unlikely
ever to return. Awkward! Who'd perform the ceremony? No clergyman from Savannah would. Chaplain Dyson, of the Independent Company? He'd lived long in the colonies and must know how rarely runaway spouses ever returned. Yes, better write, and if Dyson accepted, he'd send Peg-Leg for him.
Tlie trail led through a small wood and he blinked his eyes to accustom them to the gloom. Soon he saw an Indian ahead.
"Greetings!" he called in Creek. "Are you of my brother Hillispilli's town? I do not know your face." Noticing that the brave, though unarmed, wore war paint, he decided he was probably a Uchee, returning home from Frederica.
But then he glimpsed a gun barrel to his left, and at the same instant an arrow hit Alan's near flank. The stallion screamed and leaped forward, almost unseating him. Regaining control, he lay flat along the horse's neck, groping for a pistol.
There came shots, more arrows, and the Indian on the trail jumped aside to retrieve a trade gun. Him Ram shot as Alan sped past. More shots came as the wounded animal raced along the narrow trail.
The wood ended at a broad savannah, with Shoreacres ahead. But Alan was slowing, his breath whistling, another arrow transfixing his throat. Ram had barely time to kick free of the stirrups before the stallion collapsed, rolled over, tried to rise and died.
'Tox ye, ye murdering buggers!" Ram snarled, anguished.
Figures were bursting from the wood. He unslung his musket. The range was too great, but a shot should warn his people if the watch-tower lookout was alert. He fired, threw down the gun, tore off his coat and ran. He thought of discarding his heavy sword, but it and one pistol were now his only arms, and there were eight or more pursuers. Booted, he couldn't hope to outdistance naked savages, but each stride brought him nearer safety.
Already he had a stitch in his side. God, why doesn't someone look this way? Over his shoulder he saw the devils were gaining on him. Damme, are all asleep at home?
Clang, clang, clang! The tocsin! Thank God, thank God!
He pounded on. He could see workers in the fields. This wav, fools! he groaned. His legs had grown leaden, his heart ready to burst, a red haze filming his eyes. Why don't they come ahorse? He glanced back again. The nearest Indian was within 200 hundred
yards, running lightly, a tomahawk glinting, his fellows bunched farther behind.
To be slaughtered within sight of home! Turn and fight now, or gain a few more yards? The nearest building seemed miles away.
Boom! A ball soughed overhead. There came yells from behind. Good, that's the roof swivels firing! Boom again. Then riders racing toward him; five, six, eight!
He recognized faces. Fred Green in the lead, John Ralby and Wat Mathers close behind, with the rest stringing out. Then they were sweeping past, some with drawn sabers, others firing pistols at full gallop. He tried to shout but had no breath. Instead, he fell and lay gasping so hard, he felt he'd broken something inside.
The bell kept clanging; more swivels fired. Good! The noise should bring the Fort Argyle rangers.
He regained his feet. His people were riding down the Indians, who were trying to regain the wood. There came a further rescue party: Joseph, riding bareback. Rose Ralby, a musket slung over her shoulder, and Emma.
Joseph reined in. "Sir, what's happened?"
"Ambuscade . . . On! . . . Bid 'em . . . bring prisoner."
"I'll go," Rose cried. "But looks laike t'lads 'ave done their business. Eigh, sir, ye do look done oop!" She sped on. Emma hesitated, then took off after her.
"Stop 'em!" Ram gasped. "Might be more Indians hiding!"
"If we've trained the lads aright, sir, they've settled the score by now," Joseph said. "Rose won't let the young 'un get hurt."
"They killed Alan. Let me up." Still wanting a prisoner. Ram took Joseph's mount and raced to overtake the others, though only to meet them returning. There were shouts, grins and much waving of trophies; bows, trade guns, deerskin pouches, powder horns.
"Nine accounted for!" Green exulted. "All for the birds to peck. John's got vour saddle, sir. They must ha' pressed ye hard!"
But Ram was furious that there was no prisoner to interrogate. He rode to view the bodies: one's neck had been almost severed, another had a saber buried so deeply in its back that its owner hadn't been able to withdraw it—must teach the rogue to twist as he lunges—and a third's head had been crushed by hoofs.
Riders burst from the wood; the rangers, headed by their sergeant. The latter also had a trophy—a bleeding scalp.
"Run right into us. Major," he explained, when he had heard Ram's story. "We heard the bell and the guns. We sort o' thought 'twas the Dons attacking by sea, so 'twas Boots and Saddles quick!"
"Who are they, d'ye suppose?"
A gray-haired ranger edged forward. "Yamasees from Florida, I'd say. Their war paint looks like the same we fought back in '15, when I was servin' under Colonel Palmer."
Yamasees! A retaliatory raid because the Creeks had demanded vengeance—or assassins sent to kill him? Ram shivered.
"Your farmers all safe at the fort, Sergeant?" he asked. "There might be more bands, and war's come after all. Best get back. I'll send off for news. Let no Indians cross the river toward Savannah."
The rangers left an
d he rallied his own party. Vultures were already circling over Alan's carcass and the Indians. He considered having the stallion buried, but decided there was no time.
Now Joseph was afoot. The walk wasn't far, but he was no longer young. Curtly Ram bade Emma dismount and give Bland her mount.
She glared at him. "So, ye let maids walk while men ride?"
"No." He swung her up before him. "No, for we ride double."
She struggled, but he was too worried to permit rebellion now. Nor was he stirred by the feel of her budding breasts under his arm. She'll not defy me now! he thought furiously.
At the stables, she slipped down. But men hurried to help him because he was reeling and they feared he'd been wounded.
He had been. A bullet had burned high across his left ribs. A little more to the right and he would have been dead.
No further attacks coming, Ram spent much time with Oglethorpe at Frederica, Savannah or Charles Town. He was now in touch with English merchants in Cuba and, while not offering actual bribes, implied that news of warlike movements would not go unrewarded. He realized these men were in the Havana only by sufferance and, if suspected, would vanish into some dungeon; but he needed urgently to know the true identity of Dominguez y Cia.
Too, he'd reached an agreement with Caleb Davis, that dropsical skipper being no longer pleased with Augustinians. He'd not recovered his slave, and several more, evading the Georgia scout boats, had
reached the Spanish fortress—and freedom. So he agreed to get news through his trader friends there—for hard cash. There were others, he said, who'd also provide news for money. Gradually Ram was building up a counterespionage that penetrated not only Spanish territory, but the Carolinas, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Wherever men traded with New Spain was a source of news.
And Lucinda had written of her safe arrival. London was gay and she was staying there to recruit strength before making the long journey north; Rob had squired her finely and was now enjoying the town after his long stay among savages. And Margot was learning new ways of dressing her hair; when Ram saw her again he'd be charmed with her modishness.
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