While we ate dinner, which had been hurriedly prepared, and the sons of our host cared for our leg-weary steeds, Master Howell told all the story of our adventures, and the owner of the plantation proposed that one of his boys take a fresh horse for the purpose of making his way to Maddock's Mill with the tidings.
After some little discussion our deputies agreed to this proposition, and before we stretched ourselves out to sleep the lad rode away, counting to change horses at the house of a friend, forty miles distant.
Our mission was thus virtually accomplished, and we composed ourselves for slumber with the satisfaction of knowing that the duty due the association was the same as performed.
Our host and his son agreed to stand watch while we slept, and nothing disturbed us until well into the night, when I was aroused by hearing the owner of the plantation as he entered the room to awaken the deputies. Then I overheard the following conversation:
"Your pursuers are here. The hoof-prints of your horses could be plainly seen on the lane, and all hands were in front of the house before seeming to realize the situation."
"Where are they now?" Master Howell asked quietly as he arose with difficulty from the bed, for his joints were stiff and lame after the hard race.
"I forbade their coming nearer, and warned the party to leave my premises. They asked if two men and two lads were here, and I, fearing lest they might pursue my son, told them the truth."
"That was well done," Master Howell replied approvingly. "Now they may besiege us once more, and we will make no effort to get away unless, perchance, you object to our resisting the governor's servants from your house."
"Do as you will with me and mine. My wrongs are not less than yours, and now is the time when we of the Carolinas must prove ourselves men, or expect to remain under the yoke forever."
"You may be set down as a traitor to the king if we make this house our castle," Master Hunter suggested; but stout Master William Payne was not to be frightened.