Part 10 (1/2)
The messenger turned away into the storm, and Major Lockwood called after him:
”Is there no news of Moylan's regiment?”
”None, sir,” came the panting answer; there ensued a second's silence, a clatter of slippery hoofs, then only the loud, dull roar of the rain filled the silence.
The Major, who still stood at the door, turned around and glanced at his wife.
”What is it, dear--if we may know?” asked she, quite calmly.
”Yes,” he said, ”you should know, Hannah. And it may not be true, but--somehow, I think it is. Tarleton is out.”
”Is he headed this way, Ebenezer?” asked Mr. Hunt, after a shocked silence.
”Why--yes, so they say. Luther Kinnicut sends the warning. It seems to be true.”
”Tarleton has heard, no doubt, that Sheldon's Horse is concentrating here,” said Mr. Hunt. ”But I think it better for thee to leave, Ebenezer.”
Mrs. Lockwood went over to her husband and laid her hand on his sleeve lightly. The act, and her expression, were heart-breaking, and not to be mistaken. She knew; and we also now surmised that if the Legion Cavalry was out, it was for the purpose of taking the man who stood there before our eyes. Doubtless he was quite aware of it, too, but made no mention of it.
”Alsop,” he said, turning to his son-in-law, ”best take the more damaging of the papers and conceal them as usual. I shall presently be busied with Thomas and Sheldon, and may have no time for such details.”
”Will they make a stand, do you think?” I whispered to Boyd, ”or shall we be sent a-packing?”
”If there be not too many of them I make a guess that Sheldon's Horse will stand.”
”And what is to be our att.i.tude?”
”Stand with them,” said he, laughing, though he knew well that we had been cautioned to do our errand and keep clear of all brawls.
CHAPTER III
VIEW HALLOO!
It rained, rained, rained, and the darkness and wind combined with the uproar of the storm to make venturing abroad well nigh impossible. Yet, an orderly, riding at hazard, managed to come up with a hundred of the Continental foot, convoying the train, and, turning them in their slopping tracks, start back with them through a road running s.h.i.+n-high in mud and water.
Messengers, also, were dispatched to call out the district militia, and they plodded all night with their lanterns, over field and path and lonely country road.
As for Colonel Sheldon, booted, sashed, and helmeted, he sat apathetic and inert in the hall, obstinately refusing to mount his men.
”For,” says he, ”it will only soak their powder and their skins, and n.o.body but a fool would ride hither in such a storm. And Tarleton is no fool, nor am I, either; and that's flat!” It was not as flat as his own forehead.
”Do you mean that I am a fool to march my men back here from Lewisboro?” demanded Colonel Thomas sharply, making to rise from his seat by the empty fireplace.
Duels had sprung from less provocation than had been given by Colonel Sheldon. Mr. Hunt very mildly interposed; and a painful scene was narrowly averted because of Colonel Thomas's cold contempt for Sheldon, which I think Captain Fancher shared.
Major Lockwood, coming in at the moment, flung aside his dripping riding cloak.
”Sir,” said he to Sheldon, ”the rumour that the Legion is abroad has reached your men, and they are saddling in my barns.”
”What d.a.m.ned nonsense!” exclaimed Sheldon, in a pet; and, rising, strode heavily to the door, but met there his Major, one Benjamin Tallmadge, coming in, all over mud.