During this time they made diligent inquiries of all who might have such information concerning Ephraim Sowers, but without learning anything whatsoever.
"Don't let that fret you, lads," Captain Dillard said when they went into camp at the Cowpens, and learned from the scouts that Major Ferguson's force was encamped not more than thirty miles distant near the Cherokee Ford of Broad River. "Don't let that fret you. Unless I am very much mistaken, we shall not remain here many hours, for there is a council of war being held, and from what I know of our commanding officers, we shall give the gallant major all the hot work he can desire. Then, if your Tory spy be not weak-kneed, you will have an opportunity of coming face to face with him, for once we have met this gentleman who proposes to lay waste our country with fire and sword, we shall not leave him until after having made the acquaintance of a goodly number of his men."
"But Ephraim Sowers is not a soldier," Evan said with a laugh, "and I am of the opinion that he is weak-kneed."
"Even then the chances are he yet remains with Ferguson's troop, for hark you, lad, the Tories have joined the major in such numbers that hereabouts in the Carolinas are none left at their homes. The spy must stick to his red-coated friends whom he served so well, or have a mighty lonesome time of it by himself. If I had played his part, doing all in my power to bring about the death of those who had befriended me, I should make it my business to keep ever within sight of a red uniform, lest some of those whose death I had sought to compass might fall upon me. You shall see Ephraim Sowers and have a long talk with him."
"You speak, Captain, as if there could be no question of the result, once we are come up with the force."
"Neither is there, lad. We of the Carolinas have each a home to protect, and so many wrongs to avenge that there can be no backward move on our part once the fight is opened."
"How many men think you Major Ferguson can muster?"
"In regulars and Tories from fourteen to fifteen hundred."
"And our own forces?"
"Not far from seventeen hundred."