The burgess was as good as his word; the supper which Tom sat down to was the best he had eaten for many a long week; and the bed upon which he stretched his tired length afterward, being the first he had slept in since leaving home, felt fully up to specifications.
Early in the morning the household was astir; and when Tom and the master of the house had breakfasted they bid the ladies good-bye. The chestnut and the bay were ready saddled at the door; and beside them stood a fat, white horse which was to bear the weight of the worthy burgess.
“He is not very speedy,” admitted the official, “but he is strong and safe. And that last quality, young sir, is not a thing to be overlooked when one comes to my age, and attains my girth.”
The ladies waved their kerchiefs from the windows; the burgess and the young swamp-rider took off their caps and bowed in return, while Cole grinned like an amiable Goliath. Then they shook their reins, and set off for the Continental camp, to bear the good tidings to Marion.
CHAPTER VII
HOW TOM DEERING FOUGHT WITH GATES AT CAMDEN
Needless to say, Marion received the news of Williamsburg’s offer with great satisfaction; it was a relief to him to secure a command of his own, and he made ready to set off with his tattered horsemen, to assume control. With this new body came the commission of colonel, after a few days, from Governor Rutledge.
When his small company were ready to leave the camp of Gates, that officer gave Marion strict instructions as to the best means of rendering him service. The fancy of Gates already beheld the squadrons of Cornwallis in full flight; and it is a fact that his greatest solicitude at this time seems to have been how to secure his captives.
“As you march south, colonel,” said he to Marion, “I want you to make it your special duty to destroy all the scows, boats, ferry-flats and barges on your route. The enemy must be deprived of the means of escaping.”
“Very well,” returned Marion, “I will do all I can in this or any other line, general, to aid you.”
But afterward he remarked to Tom, who was his trusted confidant: