"Then you believe we shall fight a battle to-morrow, sir?" I made bold to say, and he replied with a sigh:
"Of that I am not so certain. If we do, the colonies will declare for freedom against the king's rule. If peace is preserved throughout the morrow, then must greater wrongs be endured in order to provoke the people into demanding their full rights."
Having said this the deputy continued on his rounds, and we two lads no longer had any desire to discuss the situation, for it had become so grave, according to Master Hunter, that a bloody battle between us and those on the opposite side of the river seemed suddenly to be really desirable.
During the remainder of that long night we lads did our full share of guard duty, I dwelling upon the possibilities until the old timorousness came upon me, and I was almost a coward.
It seemed to me that death would come within a few hours, and I was already marked out as one of his victims. I found myself wondering if I could march up to the guns of the enemy without betraying the cowardice in my heart, and otherwise spending the time in a very foolish fashion for one who must play the part of soldier.
Never had the dawning of a new day been so much of a relief to me as then. The gray light of morning revealed the multitude sleeping peacefully, and on the opposite bank not even a wreath of smoke showed above the chimney-tops.
The scene brought relief to me, and by the time the sun rose I was able to keep down the fear in my heart, so that no one might suspect that I was in very fact a coward.
It was a wonderful scene when the visitors awakened to life, and began making ready for the coming events which were of concern to all dwelling in America. This day's sun would see the dawn of freedom, or a postponement of that spirit which must in the near future descend upon our people.
The officers of the Regulation went from camp to camp, cautioning the visitors against making any demonstration before the trials at the court-house were brought to a close, and at the ford a group of our best citizens was performing the same task.
If the citizens of upper Carolina made any error on this day it would not be from lack of advice from those who were in a position to know what might be best for the colony.