“Tom, my boy,” it was his father’s voice, the same old voice whose kind ring he had not heard for these long, long years. And in a moment they were locked in each other’s arms. After greetings, delighted exclamations and hugs had been indulged in, the planter explained his presence on the Defence.
“When Lord Cornwallis surrendered to Washington the British ships struck their colors to Admiral de Grasse. And as the Benbow on which I was a prisoner happened to be one of them——”
“And as I,” interrupted Captain Deering, “heard that she had prisoners aboard her, I got the French admiral’s permission to search her well, in the hope that what has happened would happen.” He clapped the planter on the back. “And here he is, Tom, back again; a little pale and somewhat the worse for wear, but not beyond mending by any means.”
They spent several hours comparing notes and relating their personal experiences. The planter’s eyes glowed as Tom told some of his adventures. He had not had the opportunity to serve his country, but he felt that his brave boy had done enough for both.
“The war will not last much longer,” said Tom, at length. “This is a blow from which the enemy can hardly recover.”
“I think you’re right, lad,” spoke Captain Deering; “the men who do the talking will now take the place of those who do the fighting. Peace is not far off.”
They were right; but peace did not come immediately. Greene, Marion, Sumpter and Pinckney were still to strike swift, crushing blows in Carolina. Five days after the fall of Yorktown, Sir Henry Clinton arrived in the Chesapeake with 7,000 men; but, learning that Cornwallis had surrendered, he hastily retreated.
On November 30, 1782, preliminary articles of peace were signed at Paris. Savannah was evacuated by the British in July of 1783; New York in November; but Charleston did not see the last of the enemy until December. Upon the 14th of that month the American columns entered the city, and those of the enemy retired to their ships. Tom Deering, his father, Uncle Dick and Cole were among the first to enter; and they sped as fast as their horses could carry them to the Deering place. The slaves received them with joy, and soon everything was placed in order.
Not long afterward Laura was brought back by Uncle Dick in the Defence; and one of the first things which Mr. Deering did, after his four thousand pounds had been recovered from the old well, was to see that the papers declaring Cole a free man were made out.