HOW THE WARNING WAS GIVEN[O]ByMabel Nelson Thurston
ByMabel Nelson Thurston
In this story an old-fashioned “courting-stick� in the hands of a quick-witted girl is the means of saving patriot lives and ammunition.
In this story an old-fashioned “courting-stick� in the hands of a quick-witted girl is the means of saving patriot lives and ammunition.
THE time was the year of Lexington and Concord, and the place, a little village not many miles away. Already men’s faces were stern and women’s eyes dim with sorrow; only the little children played on and knew no difference.
Dolly Pearson scorned the name of child, yet the thought of war brought to her only a sense of exhilaration. She had no father or brother to lose; but neither had Elizabeth who had not smiled these three months. Why? John Thurlow had said no word of enlisting. A shame it was, too—thought Dolly—and he a strong man with naught to bind him!
“Betty,� said Dolly, who was helping her sister to tidy the best room, “why does not John enlist? There, ’tis said now—I just had to! I’ve been waiting and waiting because I feared to hurt you by the question!�
Elizabeth turned her quiet face to the saucy one, and smiled a little sadly down at the girl. “John willgo soon,� she said. “He is but tarrying till the time be ripe.�
“Well, right glad am I to know it!� cried Dolly. “I always liked John Thurlow, but had he been a coward——� She stopped, amazed at Elizabeth’s look.
“Never name coward and John Thurlow in the same breath again!� she said, vehemently, with wrathful face.
Dolly ran over to her sister repentantly. “Betty, I meant nothing. I could not understand his tarrying, that was all. It is because he is going that you have looked so sober lately.�
“Yes,� said Elizabeth, burying her face in her blue apron. Dolly stared. She never cried herself, and never had she seen her sister cry, save when their father died. Something of the solemn feeling she had then had now silenced her, and she stood smoothing Elizabeth’s hand until the girl looked up.
“There, Dolly, get to work,� she said, “and be glad you are not old enough to understand.�
Dolly went pouting to her work—at fourteen she didn’t like being thought young! Presently something diverted her thoughts. It was a hollow rod, eight feet long and an inch in diameter, with a queer mouth and ear-piece at each end—an old-time courting-stick that had belonged to her grandmother. Dolly held it across to Elizabeth, her face dimpling with mischief.
“Try it, Betty!� she pleaded. “I want to see if it sounds as well as ever.�
Elizabeth held it to her ear, while Dolly’s saucy lipstouched the other end. “Betty,� she whispered, “are you not glad that you and John don’t have to use this stick?� Elizabeth dropped it impatiently.
“You heard,� Dolly said innocently. “That was what I desired to know. But you might have said something to me!�
When Elizabeth’s color came and went, as now, there was no girl like her in the village. Indeed, at all times she was prettiest, thought loyal Dolly, studying her next day, as they all walked to meeting—Elizabeth in a sprigged muslin and a bonnet with rose-colored ribbons. How beautiful she looked as she went to the singers’ seats! John Thurlow sat there, too.
By turning a little in the pew, Dolly could see the singers’ seats, and half the congregation as well. So of course she saw Eunice Winter come in, and with her a strange young man, who soon perceived the pretty face under the rose-colored ribbons, and glanced at it frequently.
Sometimes Dolly changed her position and studied the queer old pulpit, with its winding stairs and the roofing overhead. There was a loft in the roof, and squirrels and birds came in there. Suddenly Dolly gave a start, and a look of delight shone in her eyes. After that she heard not even the Parson’s “Finally,� and only came to herself when the people rose to depart. Then she pulled her sister’s dress.
“Betty, do hasten!� she pleaded. “I have something to tell you.�
Elizabeth glanced down at the excited face.
“What is it, Dolly?� she asked, anxiety sharpening her quiet voice.
“Come,� urged Dolly, “away from the others! Imusttell you!�
Elizabeth followed her sister to a corner of the meeting-house yard, where they were alone.
“What is it, Dolly?� Betty asked again, shaken out of her usual calm.
Dolly leaned forward. “Tell John Thurlow I know where his muskets are,� she said, “and if they be not careful, others will know it, too!�
Elizabeth caught the girl’s hand tightly.
“How knew you that, Dolly?� she asked, a great fear choking her. Dolly could be trusted, but many Royalists in the neighborhood were seeking just this knowledge!
“Oh,� said Dolly, delighted at the importance of her discovery, “I saw something gleaming through a crack in the roofing. I thought at first ’twas the sunlight, but presently I noted some dust in the pew. I put my hand down and picked some up and tasted it, and although I be ‘so young,’ I know powder. Why didn’t you tell me? I’d have died sooner than betray it!� Her eyes were flashing through tears.
“I know it, little sister,� said Elizabeth. “I would trust you as soon as myself. But do you not see it would be foolish to take more than were necessary into the secret?�
“Ye-es,� admitted Dolly reluctantly, and then with the old mischievous smile, she added: “Betty, was it necessary for you to know it?�
“You have a sadly undisciplined tongue, Dolly,� said Betty, coloring.
“But you do not fear to trust me,� said Dolly as they walked slowly back across the yard. Then the undisciplined tongue reasserted itself.
“Did you note the fine gallant Eunice Winter had to-day?� she asked.
“I saw there was a stranger.�
“He scarce took his eyes from a bonnet with rose-colored ribbons. And he is much finer-seeming than John Thurlow, Betty!�
“Now, Dolly, you’re going too far,� said Elizabeth sternly. “What would mother say? It is downright wicked to have such thoughts in the house of God.�
“Don’t get cross,� pleaded Dolly coaxingly. “I paid heed to the parson, and I can tell you the text. And for the other matter, time will show if I be wrong,� and with a saucy nod she broke away and joined her mother.
Time did show. Whatever might be the fault of Mistress Dolly’s tongue, her eyes were seldom mistaken. Before a week was over the strange gentleman had met Elizabeth and he soon fell into the habit of calling almost daily. His name was Henry Robbins, and he was Eunice Winter’s cousin, visiting there for a month, he said.
All Dolly’s admiration for him vanished on the day she suspected he was a Royalist. He had never avowed it, but the girl detected a look in his eyes when she spoke of Lexington that brought her to her feet in great excitement.
“I believe you’re a Royalist!� she exclaimed, with flashing eyes. “If not, why are you tarrying here when the need is so sore? I think a man who tarries unconcerned is a coward!�
“Dolly!� remonstrated Elizabeth.
“I do,� answered Dolly angrily. “And I hate cowards! You can excuse me if you will, Betty, but I would say it all over again to the king’s face!� and she ran out of the room.
The young man looked a little disturbed.
“I pray you overlook the child’s quick tongue,� Elizabeth said. “She is an eager little rebel, and loses control of herself.�
“Oh, I am not troubled by a child’s idle talk,� he said. “I admire her spirit. Yet I feel I scarce deserve the lash of her words.�
“I judge no man who follows his conscience. God will direct the right,� said Elizabeth gently.
With that he had to be content. Yet as he walked down the road he switched impatiently at the daisies beside it, and felt ill-satisfied with the part he was playing. To live among these people solely to discover their preparations for war revolted him, and he did so only at the positive order of his general.
But as days went on, he began to despair. No slightest clue could he get of the whereabouts of the stores he knew were being collected. Then one day, as he was about to return to Boston, a scrap of paper was slipped into his hand by a boy, who immediately scampered away. Captain Robbins was standing with a group of men at the tavern waiting for the mail-coach, and he carelessly untwisted and read the note:
Search the loft of the meeting-house. A servant of his majesty.
Search the loft of the meeting-house. A servant of his majesty.
A quick glow came into the young man’s face. John Thurlow was standing near and looked at him a little curiously. “Good news, judging from your face,� said John.
“Aye, the best,� the Royalist said slowly. And never did John Thurlow forget the curious tone and look of the Tory.
It was no difficult matter to examine the loft, which was found nearly full of arms and powder. But Robbins did not choose to seize the munitions; he hoped to convict Thurlow, at least, if none of the others. He set spies on the church, meaning to capture any of the king’s enemies who might attempt to take away arms.
Then another note came to him:
On Monday next there will be a midnight meeting in the loft. It might interest the captain to attend.
On Monday next there will be a midnight meeting in the loft. It might interest the captain to attend.
It was Saturday afternoon then. One of the Royalists happened to be passing the house; the captain called him, and the two young men swung into step down theroad to the meeting-house. Dolly Pearson stood watching the two as they walked quickly away; then some suspicion came to her from their gestures. She tried to dismiss it as foolish, but tried in vain.
Suddenly she started off on a run across the fields. When she reached the meeting-house her breath was coming in heavy gasps. The building was open for one of its rare sweepings, but no one was in sight just then. The girl ran in and up the winding stairs and crouched down behind the pulpit, and lay there listening and trying to still the noisy beating of her heart.
It seemed ages that she crouched there; perhaps she had been mistaken—they might not have been coming here—then she started at the sound of voices. She dared not peer out. She held herself rigid and listened—listened for the life of John Thurlow whom Elizabeth loved.
“Forty muskets and seven kegs of powder,� said one voice.
“Aye, and Thurlow and his recruits to take all on Monday night?�
“Hist!� said the captain, looking round uneasily. “Walls have ears. Monday at midnight you will have a strong band ready. We will surround the meeting-house, and then——�
“Down with the rebels! And the pay, captain?�
“Trust His Majesty for that. You can have my own share, too. Success is enough for me.�
“That and a fair field to Betty Pearson’s favor,�laughed the other. “You are not the only one that would like to see John Thurlow out of the way!�
“Then shall I earn their gratitude,� answered Robbins.
Dolly was trembling, and it did not seem as if she could control herself much longer; but soon they went away. Then she had to rest long in one of the pews to quiet her nerves.
“What ails you, Dolly?� her mother exclaimed, when she saw her. “You look too ill to stand! You ought to go straight to bed while I brew some herbs for you.�
“Oh, mother, I can’t go to bed,� said Dolly. “I must see John!�
“Would I were John!� said a mocking voice.
Dolly’s heart sank within her. She had not noticed the captain as she entered. With an effort she summoned one of her saucy smiles.
“Good-even, Mr. Robbins—this is an unexpected pleasure! You have not been here for so long—why, not since yesterday!�
“Come and entertain me, since I please you so much,� laughed the captain.
“No,� said Dolly, “it would not be proper to show it. I prefer to talk to Betty.�
“And I prefer you should talk to me,� said the captain, and there was a note in his voice that startled Dolly. She imagined that she was suspected. The color had come back to her face now, and her eyes were blazing. Somehow—how, she had not the least idea—shemust warn John to-night. To-morrow would be too late, for the captain was on his guard.
She leaned back in a corner of the big settle, with a saucy laugh answered his teasing, and gradually regained control of herself. Yet all her will could not keep the color from flying to her face when she heard John’s step. She bent down and played with the kitten at her feet.
“Miss Dolly was desiring your presence, Mr. Thurlow,� said the captain.
“Oh,� said Dolly carelessly, “never mind, John. That was an hour ago.�
Thurlow smiled good-humoredly at her, knowing her to be whimsical. She sat wondering how she could get the message to him. Write it? Even could she do so unobserved she would have no opportunity to give it to him; of that she was certain. Equally sure was she that she would not be allowed to leave the room alone.
Suddenly a thought came to her and filled her with glee. “Oh, Mr. Robbins!� she cried. “Have you ever seen our courting-stick?�
“Courting-stick? What might that be?�
“I’ll show you,� she answered, starting up. “’Tis in the best room.�
“Nay, let me get it for you,� he said, rising.
“How can you, if you know it not when you see it?� she retorted. “But you may come, too.� She felt a wicked delight in hearing the captain’s mutteredexclamations as he followed her into the dim best room, stumbling over table and chairs on the way.
“Did you hurt yourself, Mr. Robbins?� she exclaimed, in a tone of commiseration. “Trouble yourself no more; I have the rod. Here, John,� she added, when they had returned, “take the other end while I show Mr. Robbins how our grandfathers courted.�
John took the rod and Dolly put her lips to her own end. “John,� she whispered, “betray no surprise for your life! Mr. Robbins knows about the meeting-house loft, and is to lead a band of men to take you Monday night. Pretend you cannot hear this well.�
John looked up in apparent perplexity. “The old rod is out of use,� he said. “Speak louder, Dolly.�
The captain, with a suspicious look, pressed nearer.
“John,� she called, “are you sorry courting-sticks are out of fashion?�
“A chilly custom, truly,� said the captain. “Don’t you think, Miss Dolly, it was rather hard on the happy pair?�
“Why, no,� said Dolly. “Take the other end, Mr. Robbins, and see the convenience of it.�
The captain took John’s place, but he could not catch the faint whisper.
“I could not hear the words,� he said.
“Oh, I’ll try again,� said Dolly obligingly.
This time the captain turned away with an amused laugh. “Cool heart that could carry on love-makingat such a length,� he said. “It is a rare curiosity, though. Shall I carry it back, Miss Dolly?�
“It needs not to be put away now,� Elizabeth said, and Dolly had to give up the pleasure of making the captain stumble again in the dark.
As the clock struck nine John rose, and the captain with him. Dolly laughed as away through the darkness strode the two men whose fortunes had changed strangely since they trod the same road a couple of hours before.
Three hours later a strange party in the meeting-house silently lowered the powder casks and muskets and carried them to carts outside. When morning broke the munitions were stored again five miles away. The men were in their usual places when the Sabbath service began.
John gave one quick look at Dolly, and she was satisfied. He did not go near her after the service, but one and another of the men came and spoke to her. They said no word of why they spoke, but she knew, and her heart swelled with pride as she counted the bravest of the place among the number. They were true patriots, then! She never would doubt them again, never!
The next night Captain Robbins met his men near the church. Nothing was stirring. The captain began to look black.
One of the men entered through a window and flung the door open. They strode into the empty room.The noise of their footsteps seemed to echo and re-echo. All was solemnity of silence. In spite of themselves, they were awed by the time and the place.
“At least,� said Captain Robbins hoarsely, “we will take the stores.� He climbed eagerly to the loft ahead of the others. “Your light, Wilson,� he called.
The man handed it up and Robbins held it high above his head. A few startled swallows whirred around him and a mouse ran out of some straw on the floor. But that was all.
There were two visitors at the Pearsons’ the next day. One was the captain who called to say farewell. His holiday was up, he said, and he must go back to Boston. Dolly watched him as he rode away. Once he turned and waved to her. “Good-bye, my little enemy,� he called.
The next one was John Thurlow. He caught Dolly’s hands in his strong grip and looked down at her so that she colored and tried to get away.
“Why, Dolly!� said Elizabeth, in surprise.
“Has she not told you?� asked John. “She is the bravest little maid I ever saw. I know not, even now, how much her quick wit has saved.�
“No,� said Dolly, looking up, her mischief as usual conquering her confusion. “I am naught but a little rebel firebrand—Mr. Robbins said so. And Mr. Robbins knows everything except the use of courting-sticks!�
She broke away and ran quickly down the lane. Theair was full of soft summer noises, and the leaves and blossoms were stirring and flashing and playing in the sunlight, and the day was golden—golden! She drew a long breath of content. She was so happy to be alive and to have helped a little.
“For I always shall be a rebel as long as I live,� she declared.