The Boy Spies with the Regulators

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  Sandy looked around quickly and saw Sidney standing with his rifle aimed and resting on the branch of the tree.--Page 22. _With the Regulators._]

  The Boy Spies With the Regulators

  The Story of how the Boys assisted the Carolina Patriots to drive the British from that State.

  BY JAMES OTIS

  A. L. BURT COMPANY PUBLISHERS NEW YORK

  Copyright 1901 BY A. L. BURT

  Under the Title of With the Regulators

  THE BOY SPIES WITH THE REGULATORS

  CONTENTS.

  CHAPTER PAGE

  I. OURSELVES 1

  II. A TREASONABLE ACT 20

  III. PROMISES 41

  IV. THE RESCUE 62

  V. AT BRUNSWICK 83

  VI. BESIEGED 104

  VII. TIMELY AID 125

  VIII. SANDY WELLS 146

  IX. TRYON'S DEMONSTRATION 167

  X. THE LONG NIGHT 188

  XI. THE TRIAL 209

  XII. THE PROCLAMATION 231

  XIII. WAR DECLARED 249

  XIV. THE CONVOY 269

  XV. THE BATTLE 289

  The Boy Spies With the Regulators

  CHAPTER I.

  OURSELVES.

  It is not for one like me to make any pretense at trying to fashion ascholar's story out of the poor efforts of Sidney Hubbard, and myself,Clare Butler, to second the brave work of those noble men who, byenduring countless hardships and sparing not their own blood, finallyrid the Carolinas of those leeches who claimed to be the king'sservants--Governor William Tryon, Edmund Fanning and others of likebrood.

  I count to set down on these pages such an account as I may be able togive concerning what we of the Carolinas did in those dark days eightyears before the first patriot blood was shed at Lexington, and thistask is to be performed simply that my descendants may, by readingour story, use their utmost efforts to preserve the fair country whichhas cost their forefathers so much of blood, anguish and bodilysuffering.

  To begin, Sidney Hubbard is my first cousin, his mother and mine beingsisters. We lived, in 1768, on the Alamance, near where, later, wasfought what may rightly be termed the first battle in the struggle ofthe colonies for independence. Our fathers were humble farmers, with ascanty store of this world's goods, and continually ground down bythose whom the king had set in authority over us, chief among whichmay be reckoned the Irishman Tryon, and Fanning, who was born on LongIsland, if I remember rightly.

  I cannot set down in my own words a picture of the Carolinas at thetime when Sidney Hubbard and I were come sixteen years of age,therefore, in order that all the conditions of public affairs may befully understood, I shall copy here what was written many years laterby one who may justly style himself a historian:[1]

  "The passage of the Stamp Act produced great uneasiness in the publicmind in North Carolina, as well as in the other provinces. Already theextortions of public officers in the exactions of fees for legal serviceshad greatly irritated the people, and they regarded the requirementsof the Stamp Act as a more gigantic scheme for legal plunder....William Tryon had been acting governor and commander-in-chief of theprovince from the death of Governor Dobbs, April 1st, 1765, and nowbegan his career of misrule in America. He was appointed governortoward the close of the year. This was the same Tryon, afterwardgovernor of New York, haughty, innately cruel, fond of show,obsequious when wishing favors, and tyrannical when independent; hewas entirely incompetent to govern a people like the free, outspokencolonists of the Upper Carolinas.

  "For several years previous to the Stamp Act excitement, rebellion hadbeen ripening among the people in the western counties. The rapacityof public officers, and the corrupt character of ministers of justice,weighed heavily upon the property and spirits of the people. The mostprominent evils complained of were the exorbitant charges of theclerks of the Superior Courts, whereby these courts had becomeinstruments of oppression; and oppressive taxes exacted by thesheriffs, and the outrages committed by those officers when theirauthority was questioned in the least. These evils everywhere existed,and every petition of the people for redress appeared to be answeredby increased extortions."

  It was William Husband, a Quaker from Pennsylvania, who banded ourpeople together in what was called "A Regulation," and each membersigned an agreement to pay no more taxes "until satisfied they werelegal; to pay officers no more fees than the strict letter of the lawrequired, unless forced to, and then to show open resentment; to becautious in the selection of representatives, and to petition thegovernor, council, king and parliament for a redress of grievances; tokeep up a continual correspondence with each other; to defray allnecessary expenses, all differences in judgment to be submitted tothe whole Regulation, the judgment of the majority to be final."

  Each member was bound by a solemn oath to stand faithful to the causeuntil matters had been brought to a true and just regulation. Meetingswere held regularly in the vicinity of Hillsborough, and in a fewweeks the Regulation was a permanent and a powerful body.

  About this time "the pride and folly of Governor Tryon led him todemand" from the Assembly an appropriation of twenty-five thousanddollars that he might build a palace, and this burden, together withthe many which had been laid upon us, was most oppressive.

  "The inhabitants of North Carolina were now thoroughly awakened to theconviction that both the local and imperial government werepractically hostile to the best interests of the colonists. The taxeshitherto were very burdensome; now the cost of the palace, and theappropriation to defray the expenses of running the dividing linebetween their province and the hunting-grounds of the Cherokees, madethem insupportable. A poll tax of one dollar and fifty cents waslevied on every male, white or black, between the ages of sixteen andsixty years of age.

  "The rapacity of public officers appeared to increase, and the peoplesaw no prospect of relief. Among the most obnoxious men who had grownrich by extortionate fees, was Edmund Fanning, a lawyer of ability. Hewas regarded as a co-worker with the government. The people detestedhim, and avoided no occasion to express their displeasure. His firstopen rupture with the Regulators was in the spring of 1768. Tryonissued a proclamation, half menacing and half persuasive, evidentlyintended to awe the Regulation and persuade the other inhabitants toavoid that association. He sent his secretary, David Edwards, tocooperate with Fanning in giving force to the proclamation among thepeople.

  "They directed the sheriff to appoint a meeting of the vestry-men ofthe parishes and the leading Regulators, to consult upon the publicgood and settle all differences. Fair promises dispelled thesuspicions of the Regulators, and their vigilance slumbered whileawaiting the day of meeting. They were not yet fully acquainted withthe falsity of their governor, or they would never have heeded thefair words of his proclamation. They were soon assured of thehollown
ess of his professions, for, while they were preparing, in goodfaith, to meet government officers in friendly convention, thesheriff, at the instigation of Fanning, proceeded, with thirtyhorsemen, to arrest Herman Husband and William Hunter on a charge ofriotous conduct.

  "These, the most prominent men among the Regulators, were seized andcast into Hillsborough jail. The whole country was aroused by thistreachery, and a large body of the people, led by Ninian BellHamilton, a brave old Scotchman of threescore-and-ten-years, marchedtoward Hillsborough to rescue the prisoners."

  Some idea may be had of our unhappy province, by aid of the aboveaccount, written in all fairness, and yet not stating our grievancesas thoroughly as they should be set down, and now I feel warranted insaying that from the day of Masters Husband's and Hunter's arrestSidney Hubbard and I began to prove ourselves _men_ of the Carolinas.

  We were both just turned sixteen, Sidney being but two days older thanI, and already had the sheriff warned us that we must pay the taxeswhich had been assessed, or be sent to jail where many a poor wretchwas confined, simply because he had not the money with which tosatisfy the governor's unjust demands.

  It was on the day after the arrest of our neighbors that we two ladsmet old Jacob Peyster, a God-fearing man, and one who was ready andwilling to lay down his life for the good of the Carolinas.

  "Why are ye abroad this morning?" he asked, reining in a mettlesomehorse which he had raised from a colt, and we were forced to bring oursteeds to a halt, or give fair proof that we lacked good breeding.

  "We came out to learn if there was any news concerning those honestmen whom the king's knaves took into custody yesterday," Sidney madeanswer before I, who was ever slow of speech, could do so much as openmy mouth.

  "Masters Husband and Hunter have been clapped in prison atHillsborough," the old man said sorrowfully, "and unless the true menof the Carolinas take the matter in hand, they are like to be held bythe brute Tryon till the little property they own has passed into thehands of his majesty's gluttons."

  "You speak as if there was some hope the men of the Carolinas wouldresist this outrage," Sidney cried excitedly.

  "Aye, lad, and so they will. Hamilton, the Scotchman, is in arms andenlisting under his flag those who love the colony better than they dothe king. Have you youngsters paid the tax which is levied on all whohave lived sixteen years or more?"

  "It is not likely that I shall be able to do so," I hastened to makeanswer. "My father cannot give me the money, and the little I hadhoarded up from the sale of my furs, went toward paying the last levymade against our poor home."

  "It looks much as though both Clare and I might soon join MastersHusband and Hunter at Hillsborough, for I have heard it said that buta short time will be allowed us of the Carolinas in which to gatherthe money to pay the tax, so eager is Governor Tryon to build hispalace," and as he spoke Sidney tried in vain to appear unconcerned,but I, who knew that which was in his mind, had good proof that he wasin deadly fear of the arrest concerning which he spoke so glibly.

  "Aye, lads, the time will be made short indeed. I hear that LawyerFanning is issuing warrants for those who are not down on thegovernor's books as having paid the unjust assessment. You are like tobe deprived of liberty soon, unless----"

  "Unless what?" Sidney asked eagerly as Master Peyster hesitated.

  "Perhaps it is wrong for me to speak further without knowing of whatminds are your parents."

  "That can be easily learned; our fathers have not the money with whichto pay their own tax, after giving up all they owned to aid insatisfying the thirst for gold with which the king's officers in thiscolony are afflicted," Sidney said with a laugh which had in itnothing of mirth.

  "Then how will you answer the collectors?" old Jacob asked, eying ussharply.

  "If it so be I can find a hiding-place, there will be no answergiven," I made haste to reply. "Sidney and I were discussing thematter even as we met you."

  "By joining the force which Ninian Hamilton is gathering you may befree from the sheriffs for a time; but it is possible that by so doingyou will be charged with treason."

  "Do you count on serving with him, Master Peyster?" Sidney asked, andthe old man replied quickly,

  "I have already set down my name as one who will serve the colonies tothe best of my poor powers, for I am of the Regulation, as are yourfathers. I am but now summoning all of the association to the rescueof those who are so unjustly imprisoned--those who were taken becausethey put faith in Tryon's sworn word."

  "Where may Master Hamilton's force be found?" I asked eagerly, for nowmy mind was made up to join those who would measure strength againstthe king.

  My plight could not well be worse in case I should be charged withtreason, for of a verity the inability to raise such an amount ofmoney as the hungry officeholders demanded was, in the Carolinas, agreater crime than that of conspiring against the king himself.

  "The rendezvous is near Chapel Hill, where the highway crosses the NewHope River. You will not be welcomed, however, unless you go armed,for the association can provide neither weapons nor money."

  Having said this much old Jacob spurred his horse on, as if afraid ofsaying anything which might influence us in our decision; but he neednot have been so particular, because even before he ceased speakingboth Sidney and I were resolved.

  The dear lad turned to me with a question in his eyes when MasterPeyster rode away, and I answered it by saying:

  "There is naught else left for us to do. From what the old man said weknow that the sheriff's officers will soon be at our heels, andanything is better than rotting in Hillsborough jail."

  "Then we have only to turn back for our weapons, and the treason iscomplete," he said with a laugh, wheeling his horse around as hespoke.

  I could see nothing of mirthfulness in the act we were about tocommit, although I was none the less determined to join MasterHamilton's forces.

  This hurried visit to our homes would be the last, perhaps, forever,and even under the most favorable circumstances, hiding as we shouldbe from the sheriff's officers, neither Sidney nor I would be able tovisit our loved ones, save by stealth, until many months had passed.

  I say again, it was a desperate act for two lads hardly more thansixteen years of age, and yet there appeared to be no alternative.

  We rode to our homes swiftly, and without indulging in conversation;each of us had so much food for thought that he could not speak ofordinary matters.

  The Hubbard plantation was no more than two miles from my home, and itcame first on our road.

  I remained outside, not dismounting, while Sidney entered, and whenperhaps half an hour had passed he joined me, turning his head ever solittle lest I should see traces of tears on his cheeks.

  He had with him his rifle, a brace of pistols which had been hisfather's, a new hunting knife, and a package which I fancied was madeup of provisions.

  "Did your father make any protest?" I asked while he was mounting.

  "He set off for the rendezvous an hour ago," Sidney replied, doing hisbest to suppress a sob. "Mother believed it was best for me to joinhim rather than go to Hillsborough jail, and did what she might tohasten my departure."

  When he was mounted we rode on to my home, and he remained outsidewhile I broke the news to my mother.

  She, dear soul, was not surprised. Old Jacob had stopped there tosummon father, who was one of the Regulators, and almost before Icould speak she clasped me to her bosom, saying gently and lovingly:

  "Yes, you must go, my boy, and my share of the heavy burden which theLord has laid upon the colony will be to remain here alone, tremblingat every sound lest it betokens the coming of some one who bringstidings that my son or my husband has been killed. If perchance such ablow is dealt me, I shall know that you died like brave men in theperformance of duty--for it is your duty to aid the oppressed. Do notdelay, gather up such articles as will be needed, and then kiss mefarewell; I cannot linger on the parting."

  In less than half
an hour I joined Sidney, giving no heed as towhether he could see the tears in my eyes, and during a full hour werode at a gentle pace towards the rendezvous without speaking.

  In that time it seemed to me that I had passed the age of boyhood andwas become a man, for of a verity I had set my face towards a man'swork whether I might accomplish it or no.

  Then we both struggled to throw off the grief which enveloped us untilthe day was like unto the night, and spoke of what might be done ifall who had joined the Regulation came forward in response to duty,little dreaming of that dreadful day when so many of our friends andneighbors would lie stark and cold upon the field of battle.

  It was but natural that we should speak of the possible glory to bewon, and not to be wondered at that each of us believed he couldperform all which might be required. We had yet to learn how great wasthe task set the men of the Carolinas before the yoke of theoppressors was finally thrown off.

  From our homes to New Hope River was but little more than twelvemiles, and when we judged that half the distance had been traversed wedrew rein to give the horses a breathing spell, for they had traveledten miles or more before we came upon old Jacob.

  We drew from our store of provisions sufficient for the noonday meal,picketed the horses where they might feast on the rich grass, and gaveourselves up to a brief time of repose.

  The meal had no more than been eaten, however, when hoof-beats in thedistance told that a horseman was approaching, and I seized my rifle,for the sorrows which had been mine during the day made meapprehensive of danger from every point.

  "Don't be foolish," Sidney said sharply. "It will be said that we areafraid of our own shadows, if some friend finds us ready for anattack. There are others beside ourselves who will ride to New HopeRiver this day, and he who comes is most likely one of MasterHamilton's party."

  "If so he is headed in the wrong direction," I replied; but I drewback from my weapon nevertheless, and an instant later regrettedhaving done so when Sandy Wells, one of the sheriff's officers, rodeup beside us.

  "We are well met, young sirs," he said in a mocking tone as he drewfrom his pocket two folded papers. "I was but this moment countingthe miles 'twixt me and your homes, for if I mistake not you are ClareButler," he said looking at me, and, turning toward my comrade, added,"You are Sidney Hubbard."

  It was useless to deny the fact, since Sandy knew our faces full well,and I asked, steadying my voice till it sounded reasonably firm:

  "What have we two lads to do with so gallant an officer as you, sir?"

  "Nothing whatsoever, if it so be you have paid the poll tax which hisworshipful excellency has levied on all males, white or black, betweenthe ages of sixteen and sixty."

  "You must know we have not paid that extortion to provide the governorwith a palace, for it is hardly more than six weeks since a levy wasmade of two shillings to the acre of all tilled lands, and we, whoowned not a single rod, were forced to help our fathers pay that," Isaid stoutly, noting the fact that Sidney was drawing his rifle towardhim.

  "Then must I serve these warrants to the end that I may legally takeyou to Hillsborough until such time as you shall pay the just andlawful demands of his worshipful excellency, Governor Tryon."

  "And how may we come by the money while we are shut up in jail?" Iasked, beginning to have an inkling of what Sidney would do.

  "That is not for me to say, my pert gentleman. If you cannot pay thetax, here is my authority for taking you to Hillsborough," and theconceited rascal proceeded to read in a loud voice the documents hehad drawn from his pocket.

  I could understand but little of their purport, so filled were theywith attorney's words and phrases, nor did I cudgel my brainsovermuch, because of what I could see out of the tail of my eye.

  Sidney had his rifle in hand, and the expression on his face told methat he had no intention of going to Hillsborough as Sandy Wells'prisoner.

  FOOTNOTE:

  [1] Benson J. Lossing, "Field Book of the Revolution."