The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army by Oliver Optic This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army A Story of the Great Rebellion Author: Oliver Optic Release Date: January 4, 2005 [EBook #14595] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SOLDIER BOY *** Produced by Bill Tozier, Barbara Tozier and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. THE SOLDIER BOY OR TOM SOMERS IN THE ARMY A STORY OF THE GREAT REBELLION BY OLIVER OPTIC AUTHOR OF “RICH AND HUMBLE,” “ALL ABOARD,” “LITTLE BY LITTLE,” ETC., ETC. NEW YORK HURST & COMPANY PUBLISHERS TO William Lee, Esq. THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY HIS FRIEND William T. Adams. PREFACE. THIS VOLUME IS NOT ALTOGETHER A MILITARY ROMANCE, THOUGH IT CONTAINS THE ADVENTURES OF one of those noble-hearted and patriotic young men who went forth from homes of plenty AND HAPPINESS TO FIGHT THE BATTLES OF OUR IMPERILLED COUNTRY. THE INCIDENTS OF THE STORY MAY BE STIRRING AND EXCITING; YET THEY ARE NOT ONLY WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF PROBABILITY, BUT HAVE BEEN MORE THAN PARALLELED IN THE EXPERIENCE OF HUNDREDS OF THE GALLANT SOLDIERS OF the loyal army. THE WORK IS NOT INTENDED TO APPROACH THE DIGNITY OF A HISTORY, THOUGH THE WRITER HAS CAREFULLY CONSULTED THE “AUTHORITIES,” BOTH LOYAL AND REBEL, AND HAS TAKEN DOWN THE LIVING WORDS OF ENTHUSIASTIC PARTICIPANTS IN THE STIRRING SCENES DESCRIBED IN THIS VOLUME. HE HAS NOT ATTEMPTED TO GIVE A FULL PICTURE OF ANY BATTLE, OR OTHER ARMY OPERATION, BUT SIMPLY OF THOSE MOVEMENTS IN WHICH THE HERO TOOK A PART. THE BOOK IS A NARRATIVE OF PERSONAL ADVENTURE, DELINEATING THE BIRTH AND GROWTH OF A PURE PATRIOTISM IN THE SOUL OF THE HERO, AND DESCRIBING THE PERILS AND PRIVATIONS, THE BATTLES AND MARCHES WHICH HE SHARED WITH thousands of brave men in the army of the Potomac. THE AUTHOR HAS ENDEAVORED TO PAINT A PICTURE OF THE TRUE SOLDIER, ONE WHO LOVES HIS COUNTRY, AND FIGHTS FOR HER BECAUSE HE LOVES HER; BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, ONE WHO IS TRUE TO himself and his God, while he is faithful to his patriotic impulses. THE WORK HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO ME IN ITS PREPARATION, AND I HOPE IT WILL NOT DISAPPOINT THE REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF THOSE PARTIAL FRIENDS WHOSE SMILE IS MY JOY, WHOSE FROWN IS MY GRIEF. BUT, MORE THAN ALL, I TRUST THIS HUMBLE VOLUME WILL HAVE SOME SMALL INFLUENCE IN KINDLING AND CHERISHING THAT GENUINE PATRIOTISM WHICH MUST EVER BE THE SALVATION OF OUR land, the foundation of our national prosperity and happiness. WILLIAM T. ADAMS. DORCHESTER, Feb. 22, 1864. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. THE BATTLE OF PINCHBROOK II. THE SOMERS FAMILY III. TAMING A TRAITOR IV. THE COMMITTEE COME OUT, AND TOM GOES IN V. THE ATTIC CHAMBER VI. THE WAY IS PREPARED VII. A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE VIII. SIGNING THE PAPERS IX. THE DEPARTURE X. COMPANY K XI. IN WASHINGTON XII. ON TO RICHMOND XIII. THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN XIV. AFTER THE BATTLE XV. TOM A PRISONER XVI. A PERPLEXING QUESTION XVII. DINNER AND DANGER XVIII. THE REBEL SOLDIER XIX. THROUGH THE GAP XX. DOWN THE SHENANDOAH XXI. THE PROBLEM OF RATIONS XXII. THE PICKET GUARD XXIII. THE END OF THE VOYAGE XXIV. BUDD’S FERRY XXV. IN THE HOSPITAL XXVI. TOM IS SENTIMENTAL XXVII. THE CONFEDERATE DESERTER XXVIII. ON THE PENINSULA XXIX. THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG XXX. MORE OF THE BATTLE XXXI. GLORY AND VICTORY XXXII. “HONORABLE MENTION” XXXIII. LIEUTENANT SOMERS AND OTHERS THE SOLDIER BOY; OR, TOM SOMERS IN THE ARMY. CHAPTER I. THE BATTLE OF PINCHBROOK. Return to Table of Contents “FORT SUMTER HAS SURRENDERED, MOTHER!” SHOUTED THOMAS SOMERS, AS HE RUSHED INTO THE room where his mother was quietly reading her Bible. IT WAS SUNDAY, AND THE EXCITING NEWS HAD BEEN CIRCULATED ABOUT THE USUALLY QUIET VILLAGE OF PINCHBROOK HARBOR. MEN’S LIPS WERE COMPRESSED, AND THEIR TEETH SHUT TIGHT TOGETHER. THEY WERE INDIGNANT, FOR TRAITORS HAD FIRED UPON THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES. MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN WERE ROUSED BY THE INDIGNITY OFFERED TO THE NATIONAL EMBLEM. THE CANNON BALLS THAT STRUCK THE WALLS OF SUMTER SEEMED AT THE SAME TIME TO STRIKE THE SOULS OF THE WHOLE POPULATION OF THE NORTH, AND NEVER WAS THERE SUCH A GREAT AWAKENING SINCE the Pilgrim Fathers first planted their feet upon the rock of Plymouth. “FORT SUMTER HAS SURRENDERED!” SHOUTED THE INDIGNANT YOUNG PATRIOT AGAIN, AS HIS MOTHER looked up from the blessed volume. “YOU DON’T SAY SO!” EXCLAIMED MRS. SOMERS, AS SHE CLOSED THE BIBLE, AND REMOVED HER spectacles. “YES, MOTHER. THE INFERNAL REBELS HAMMERED AWAY AT THE FORT FOR TWO DAYS, AND AT LAST WE had to give in.” “THERE’LL BE TERRIBLE TIMES AFORE LONG,” REPLIED THE OLD LADY, SHAKING HER HEAD WITH prophetic earnestness. “THE PRESIDENT HAS CALLED FOR SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND VOLUNTEERS, AND I TELL YOU THERE’LL BE MUSIC BEFORE LONG!” CONTINUED THE YOUTH, SO EXCITED THAT HE PACED THE ROOM WITH RAPID strides. “WHAT’S THE MATTER, THOMAS?” ASKED A FEEBLE OLD GENTLEMAN, ENTERING THE ROOM AT THIS moment. “FORT SUMTER HAS SURRENDERED, GRAN’THER,” REPEATED THOMAS, AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS, FOR THE AGED MAN WAS QUITE DEAF; “AND THE PRESIDENT HAS CALLED FOR SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND men to go down and fight the traitors.” “SHO!” EXCLAIMED THE OLD MAN, HALTING, AND GAZING WITH EARNESTNESS INTO THE FACE OF THE boy. “It’s a fact, gran’ther.” “WELL, I’M TOO OLD TO GO,” MUTTERED GRAN’THER GREENE; “BUT I WA’N’T OLDER’N YOU ARE WHEN I shouldered my firelock in 1812. I’m too old and stiff to go now.” “HOW OLD WERE YOU, GRAN’THER, WHEN YOU WENT TO THE WAR?” ASKED THOMAS, WITH MORE moderation than he had exhibited before. “ONLY SIXTEEN, THOMAS; BUT I WAS AS TALL AS I AM NOW,” REPLIED THE PATRIARCH, DROPPING SLOWLY AND CAUTIOUSLY INTO THE OLD-FASHIONED HIGH-BACK CHAIR, BY THE SIDE OF THE COOKING stove. “Well, I’m sixteen, and I mean to go.” “YOU, THOMAS! YOU ARE CRAZY! YOU SHAN’T DO ANY THING OF THE KIND,” INTERPOSED MRS. Somers. “There’s men enough to go to the war, without such boys as you are.” “YOU AIN’T QUITE STOUT ENOUGH TO MAKE A SOLDIER, THOMAS. YOU AIN’T SO BIG AS I WAS, WHEN I went off to York state,” added gran’ther Greene. “I SHOULD LIKE TO GO ANY HOW,” SAID THOMAS, AS HE SEATED HIMSELF IN A CORNER OF THE ROOM, and began to think thoughts big enough for a full-grown man. “FORT SUMTER HAS SURRENDERED,” SHOUTED JOHN SOMERS, RUSHING INTO THE HOUSE AS MUCH excited as his brother had been. “We’ve heard all about it, John,” replied his mother. “THE PRESIDENT HAS CALLED FOR SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND MEN, AND IN MY OPINION THE REBELS WILL GET AN AWFUL LICKING BEFORE THEY ARE A FORTNIGHT OLDER. I SHOULD LIKE TO GO AND HELP DO it.” THE EXCITING NEWS WAS DISCUSSED AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE SOMERS FAMILY, AS IT WAS IN THOUSANDS OF OTHER FAMILIES, ON THAT EVENTFUL SUNDAY. THOMAS AND JOHN COULD THINK OF NOTHING, SPEAK OF NOTHING, BUT FORT SUMTER, AND THE TERRIBLE CASTIGATION WHICH THE REBELS WOULD RECEIVE FROM THE INSULTED AND OUTRAGED NORTH. THEY WERE LOYAL EVEN TO ENTHUSIASM; AND WHEN THEY RETIRED TO THEIR CHAMBER AT NIGHT, THEY VENTURED TO EXPRESS TO EACH OTHER THEIR DESIRE TO JOIN THE GREAT ARMY WHICH WAS TO AVENGE THE INSULT OFFERED TO the flag of the Union. THEY WERE TWIN BROTHERS, SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE; BUT THEY BOTH THOUGHT THEY WERE OLD ENOUGH AND STRONG ENOUGH TO BE SOLDIERS. THEIR MOTHER, HOWEVER, HAD PROMPTLY DISAPPROVED OF SUCH SUGGESTIONS, AND THEY HAD NOT DEEMED IT PRUDENT TO DISCUSS THE IDEA in her presence. ON MONDAY, THE EXCITEMENT INSTEAD OF SUBSIDING, WAS FANNED TO A FEVER HEAT; PINCHBROOK HARBOR WAS IN A GLOW OF PATRIOTISM. MEN NEGLECTED THEIR USUAL OCCUPATIONS, AND TALKED OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE NATION. EVERY PERSON WHO COULD PROCURE A FLAG HUNG IT OUT AT HIS WINDOW, OR HOISTED IT IN HIS YARD, OR ON HIS HOUSE. THE GOVERNOR HAD CALLED OUT A PORTION OF THE STATE MILITIA, AND ALREADY THE TRAMP OF ARMED MEN WAS HEARD IN THE NEIGHBORING CITY OF Boston. THOMAS SOMERS WAS EMPLOYED IN A STORE IN THE VILLAGE, AND DURING THE FORENOON HE MECHANICALLY PERFORMED THE DUTIES OF HIS POSITION; BUT HE COULD THINK OF NOTHING BUT THE EXCITING TOPIC OF THE DAY. HIS BLOOD WAS BOILING WITH INDIGNATION AGAINST THOSE WHO HAD TRAILED OUR HALLOWED FLAG IN THE DUST. HE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING TO REDEEM THE HONOR OF HIS COUNTRY—SOMETHING TO WIPE OUT THE TRAITORS WHO HAD DARED TO CONSPIRE AGAINST HER PEACE. ON HIS WAY HOME TO DINNER, HE MET FRED PEMBERTON, WHO LIVED ONLY A SHORT distance from his own house. “What do you think now, Fred?” said Thomas. “WHAT DO I THINK? I THINK JUST AS I ALWAYS DID—THE NORTH IS WRONG, AND THE SOUTH IS right,” replied Fred. “WHO FIRED UPON FORT SUMTER? THAT’S THE QUESTION,” SAID THOMAS, HIS EYES FLASHING WITH indignation. “Why didn’t they give up the fort, then?” “GIVE UP THE FORT! SHALL THE UNITED STATES CAVE IN BEFORE THE LITTLE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. Not by a two chalks!” “I THINK THE NORTH HAS BEEN TEASING AND VEXING THE SOUTH TILL THE SOUTHERNS CAN’T STAND IT any longer. There’ll be war now.” “I hope there will! By gracious, I hope so!” “I hope the South will beat!” “Do you? Do you, Fred Pemberton?” demanded Tom, so excited he could not stand still. “YES, I DO. THE SOUTH HAS THE RIGHTS OF IT. IF WE HAD LET THEIR NIGGERS ALONE, THERE WOULDN’T have been any trouble.” “YOU ARE AS BLIND AS A BAT, FRED. DON’T YOU SEE THIS ISN’T A QUARREL BETWEEN THE NORTH AND the South, but between the government and the rebels?” “I DON’T SEE IT. IF THE NORTH HAD LET THE SOUTH ALONE, THERE WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN ANY FUSS. I hope the North will get whipped, and I know she will.” “Fred, you are a traitor to your country!” “No, I’m not!” “Yes, you are; and if I had my way, I’d ride you on a rail out of town.” “No, you wouldn’t.” “YES, I WOULD. I ALWAYS THOUGHT YOU WERE A DECENT FELLOW; BUT YOU ARE A DIRTY, LOW-LIVED traitor.” “Better be careful what you say, Tom Somers!” retorted the young secessionist, angrily. “A fellow that won’t stand by his country ain’t fit to live. You are an out-and-out traitor.” “Don’t call me that again, Tom Somers,” replied Fred, doubling up his fist. “I say you are a traitor.” “Take that, then.” TOM DID TAKE IT, AND IT WAS A PRETTY HARD BLOW ON THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD. PERHAPS IT WAS FORTUNATE FOR OUR YOUNG PATRIOT THAT AN OPPORTUNITY WAS THUS AFFORDED HIM TO EVAPORATE SOME OF HIS ENTHUSIASM IN THE CAUSE OF HIS COUNTRY, FOR THERE IS NO KNOWING WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE CONSEQUENCE IF IT HAD REMAINED LONGER PENT UP IN HIS SOUL. OF COURSE, HE STRUCK BACK; AND A CONTEST, ON A SMALL SCALE, BETWEEN THE LOYALTY OF THE NORTH AND THE TREASON OF THE SOUTH COMMENCED. HOW LONG IT MIGHT HAVE CONTINUED, OR WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE RESULT, CANNOT NOW BE CONSIDERED; FOR THE APPROACH OF A CHAISE INTERRUPTED THE battle, and the forces of secession were reënforced by a full-grown man. THE GENTLEMAN STEPPED OUT OF HIS CHAISE WITH HIS WHIP IN HIS HAND, AND PROCEEDED TO LAY IT ABOUT THE LEGS AND BODY OF THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION SIDE. THIS WAS MORE THAN TOM SOMERS COULD STAND, AND HE RETREATED IN GOOD ORDER FROM THE SPOT, TILL HE HAD PLACED himself out of the reach of the whip. “WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU YOUNG SCOUNDREL?” DEMANDED THE GENTLEMAN WHO HAD interfered. TOM LOOKED AT HIM, AND DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS SQUIRE PEMBERTON, THE FATHER OF HIS LATE opponent. “He hit me first,” said Tom. “HE CALLED ME A TRAITOR,” ADDED FRED. “I WON’T BE CALLED A TRAITOR BY HIM, OR ANY OTHER fellow.” “What do you mean by calling my son a traitor, you villain?” “I meant just what I said. He is a traitor. He said he hoped the South would beat.” “Suppose he did. I hope so too,” added Squire Pemberton. THE SQUIRE THOUGHT, EVIDENTLY, THAT THIS OUGHT TO SETTLE THE QUESTION. IF HE HOPED SO, THAT was enough. “Then you are a traitor, too. That’s all I’ve got to say,” replied Tom, boldly. “YOU SCOUNDREL! HOW DARE YOU USE SUCH A WORD TO ME!” ROARED THE SQUIRE, AS HE MOVED towards the blunt-spoken little patriot. FOR STRATEGIC REASONS, TOM DEEMED IT PRUDENT TO FALL BACK; BUT AS HE DID SO, HE PICKED UP a couple of good-sized stones. “I said you were a traitor, and I say so again,” said Tom. “Two can play at that game,” added Fred, as he picked up a stone and threw it at Tom. THE UNION FORCE RETURNED THE FIRE WITH THE MOST DETERMINED ENERGY, UNTIL ONE OF THE MISSILES STRUCK THE HORSE ATTACHED TO THE CHAISE. THE ANIMAL, EVIDENTLY HAVING NO SYMPATHY WITH EITHER PARTY IN THIS MINIATURE CONTEST, AND WITHOUT CONSIDERING HOW MUCH DAMAGE HE MIGHT DO THE REBEL CAUSE, STARTED OFF AT A FURIOUS PACE WHEN THE STONE STRUCK HIM. HE DASHED DOWN THE HILL AT A FEARFUL RATE, AND BOUNDED AWAY OVER THE PLAIN THAT LED to the Harbor. SQUIRE PEMBERTON AND HIS SON HAD MORE INTEREST IN THE FATE OF THE RUNAWAY HORSE THAN THEY HAD IN THE ISSUE OF THE CONTEST, AND BOTH STARTED AT THE TOP OF THEIR SPEED IN PURSUIT. BUT THEY MIGHT AS WELL HAVE CHASED A FLASH OF LIGHTNING, OR A LOCOMOTIVE GOING AT THE RATE of fifty miles an hour. TOM SOMERS CAME DOWN FROM THE BANK WHICH HE HAD ASCENDED TO SECURE A GOOD POSITION. HE HAD DONE RATHER MORE THAN HE INTENDED TO DO; BUT ON THE WHOLE HE DID NOT MUCH REGRET IT. HE WATCHED THE COURSE OF THE SPIRITED ANIMAL, AS HE DASHED MADLY ON TO DESTRUCTION. THE CAREER OF THE HORSE WAS SHORT; FOR IN THE ACT OF TURNING A CORNER, HALF A MILE FROM THE SPOT WHERE TOM STOOD, HE UPSET THE CHAISE, AND WAS HIMSELF THROWN DOWN, and, being entangled in the harness, was unable to rise before a stout man had him by the head. “I WISH THAT CHAISE HAD BEEN THE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY,” SAID TOM TO HIMSELF, PHILOSOPHICALLY, WHEN HE SAW THE CATASTROPHE IN THE DISTANCE. “WELL, IT SERVED YOU RIGHT, OLD SECESH; AND I’LL BET THERE AIN’T MANY FOLKS IN PINCHBROOK HARBOR THAT WILL BE WILLING TO comfort the mourners.” WITH THIS CONSOLING ASSURANCE, TOM CONTINUED ON HIS WAY HOME. AT DINNER, HE GAVE THE family a faithful account of the transaction. “You didn’t do right, Thomas,” said his mother. “He hit me first.” “You called him a traitor.” “He is a traitor, and so is his father.” “I declare, the boys are as full of fight as an egg is of meat,” added gran’ther Greene. “You haven’t seen the last of it yet, Thomas,” said the prudent mother. “No matter, Tom; I’ll stand by you,” added John. After dinner, the two boys walked down to the Harbor together. CHAPTER II. THE SOMERS FAMILY. Return to Table of Contents THE TOWN OF PINCHBROOK IS NOT A GREAT DISTANCE FROM BOSTON, WITH WHICH IT IS CONNECTED BY RAILROAD. IF ANY OF OUR YOUNG READERS ARE OF A GEOGRAPHICAL TURN OF MIND, AND ARE DISPOSED TO ASCERTAIN THE EXACT LOCALITY OF THE PLACE, WE WILL SAVE THEM ANY UNNECESSARY TROUBLE, FOR IT IS NOT LAID DOWN ON ANY MAP WITH WHICH WE ARE FAMILIAR. WE LIVE IN TIMES OF WAR, AND PROBABLY OUR YOUNG FRIENDS HAVE ALREADY LEARNED THE MEANING OF “MILITARY NECESSITY.” OUR STORY IS ESSENTIALLY A MILITARY STORY, AND THERE ARE CERTAIN MILITARY SECRETS CONNECTED WITH IT WHICH MIGHT BE TRACED OUT IF WE SHOULD INFORM OUR INQUISITIVE READERS EXACTLY where Pinchbrook is situated. SQUIRE PEMBERTON, WE DOUBT NOT, IS VERY ANXIOUS TO FIND OUT CERTAIN PERSONS CONNECTED WITH SOME IRREGULAR PROCEEDINGS IN AND AROUND HIS HOUSE ON THE EVENING OF MONDAY, APRIL 16TH. FIDELITY TO THE TRUTH OF HISTORY COMPELS US TO NARRATE THESE PROCEEDINGS IN OUR HUMBLE VOLUME; BUT WE SHOULD EXCEEDINGLY REGRET THEREBY TO GET ANY OF OUR FRIENDS INTO A SCRAPE BY INFORMING THE SQUIRE THAT THEY WERE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THE SCENES OF THAT EVENTFUL NIGHT, OR TO SAY ANY THING WHICH WOULD ENABLE HIM, A LAWYER, TO TRACE OUT THE AUTHORS OF THE MISCHIEF THROUGH THESE PAGES. THEREFORE WE CANNOT SAY WHERE PINCHBROOK is, or even give a hint which would enable our readers to fix definitely its locality. PINCHBROOK IS A TOWN OF ABOUT THREE THOUSAND INHABITANTS, ENGAGED, AS THE SCHOOL BOOKS WOULD SAY, IN AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURES, COMMERCE, AND THE FISHERIES, WHICH, RENDERED INTO STILL PLAINER ENGLISH, MEANS THAT SOME OF THE PEOPLE ARE FARMERS; THAT WOODEN PAILS, MACKEREL KEGS, BOOTS AND SHOES, ARE MADE; THAT THE INHABITANTS BUY GROCERIES, AND SELL FISH, KEGS, PAILS, AND SIMILAR WARES; AND THAT THERE ARE ABOUT TWENTY VESSELS OWNED IN THE place, the principal part of which are fishermen. We have not the agricultural and commercial statistics of the place at hand; but the larger TERRITORIAL PART OF THE TOWN WAS DEVOTED TO THE FARMING INTEREST, AND WAS RATHER SPARSELY POPULATED, WHILE THE PRINCIPAL VILLAGE, CALLED PINCHBROOK HARBOR, WAS MORE DENSELY PEOPLED, CONTAINED TWO STORES, FOUR CHURCHES, ONE WHARF, A BLACKSMITH SHOP, AND SEVERAL shoe and bucket manufactories. WE ARE WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT PINCHBROOK IS RATHER A SINGULAR NAME. THE ANTIQUARIANS HAVE NOT YET HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DETERMINE ITS ORIGIN; BUT OUR PRIVATE OPINION IS THAT THE WORD IS A CORRUPTION OF Punch-BROOK. PERHAPS, AT SOME REMOTE PERIOD IN THE HISTORY OF THE TOWN, BEFORE THE SONS OF TEMPERANCE OBTAINED A FOOTHOLD IN THE PLACE, A VILLAINOUS MIXTURE, KNOWN TO TOPERS UNDER THE GENERAL APPELLATION OF “PUNCH,” MAY HAVE BEEN LARGELY CONSUMED BY THE PINCHBROOKERS. THOUGH NOT A VERY AGED PERSON OURSELF, WE HAVE HEARD ALLUSIONS TO FESTIVE OCCASIONS WHERE, METAPHORICALLY, THE PUNCH WAS SAID TO “FLOW IN STREAMS.” POSSIBLY, FROM “STREAMS” CAME “BROOKS,”—HENCE, “PUNCHBROOK,”—WHICH, UNDER THE STRANGE MUTATIONS OF TIME, HAS BECOME “PINCHBROOK.” BUT WE ARE NOT LEARNED IN THESE MATTERS, AND WE HOPE THAT NOTHING WE HAVE SAID WILL BIAS THE MINDS OF ANTIQUARIANS, AND PREVENT THEM FROM DEVOTING THAT ATTENTION TO THE ORIGIN OF the word which its importance demands. THE SOMERS FAMILY, WHICH WE HAVE ALREADY PARTIALLY INTRODUCED, OCCUPIED A SMALL COTTAGE NOT QUITE A MILE FROM PINCHBROOK HARBOR. CAPTAIN SOMERS, THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY, HAD BEEN, AND WAS STILL, FOR AUGHT HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN KNEW, MASTER OF THE SCHOONER GAZELLE. TO PURCHASE THIS VESSEL, HE HAD HEAVILY MORTGAGED HIS HOUSE AND LANDS IN PINCHBROOK TO Squire Pemberton. But his voyages had not been uniformly successful, though the captain BELIEVED THAT HIS EARTHLY POSSESSIONS, AFTER DISCHARGING ALL HIS LIABILITIES, WOULD AMOUNT TO about five thousand dollars. THE MORTGAGE NOTE WOULD BECOME DUE IN JUNE, AND CAPTAIN SOMERS HAD BEEN MAKING A STRONG EFFORT TO REALIZE UPON HIS PROPERTY, SO AS TO ENABLE HIM TO PAY OFF THE OBLIGATION AT MATURITY. CAPTAIN SOMERS HAD A BROTHER WHO WAS FAMILIARLY KNOWN IN THE FAMILY AS UNCLE WYMAN. HE HAD SPENT HIS LIFE, FROM THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN, IN THE SOUTH, AND AT THE TIME OF which we write, he was a merchant in Norfolk. CAPTAIN SOMERS AND HIS BROTHER HAD BEEN INTERESTED TOGETHER IN CERTAIN MERCANTILE TRANSACTIONS, AND UNCLE WYMAN BEING THE BUSINESS MAN, HAD THE PROCEEDS OF THESE ventures in his own hands. ON THE 10TH OF APRIL, ONLY TWO DAYS BEFORE THE BOMBARDMENT OF FORT SUMTER, CAPTAIN Somers had sailed in the Gazelle, with an assorted cargo, for Norfolk. Before leaving home HE HAD ASSURED HIS WIFE THAT HE SHOULD NOT RETURN WITHOUT EFFECTING A SETTLEMENT WITH WYMAN, WHO HAD POSTPONED IT SO MANY TIMES, THAT THE HONEST SAILOR BEGAN TO FEAR HIS BROTHER DID NOT MEAN TO DEAL JUSTLY WITH HIM. NOTHING HAD BEEN HEARD OF THE GAZELLE SINCE her departure from Boston. UNCLE WYMAN WAS KNOWN TO BE A NORTHERN MAN WITH SOUTHERN PRINCIPLES, WHILE HIS BROTHER, THOUGH NOT IN THE HABIT OF SAYING MUCH ABOUT POLITICS, WAS FULLY COMMITTED ON THE SIDE OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND WAS WILLING TO SUSTAIN THE PRESIDENT IN THE USE OF ALL THE COERCION THAT MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO ENFORCE OBEDIENCE TO THE LAWS. THE THREATENING ASPECT OF AFFAIRS AT THE SOUTH HAD MADE CAPTAIN SOMERS MORE THAN EVER ANXIOUS TO HAVE HIS ACCOUNTS ADJUSTED, AS ALL HIS EARTHLY POSSESSIONS, EXCEPT THE SCHOONER, WERE IN THE HANDS OF HIS BROTHER; AND THE FACT THAT UNCLE WYMAN WAS SO STRONG AN ADVOCATE OF SOUTHERN RIGHTS, HAD CAUSED HIM TO MAKE THE DECLARATION THAT HE WOULD NOT RETURN without a settlement. THE FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE SOMERS FAMILY, THEREFORE, WERE NOT IN A VERY PROSPEROUS CONDITION, AND THE SOLVENCY OF THE HOUSE DEPENDED ENTIRELY UPON THE ADJUSTMENT WITH UNCLE WYMAN. THE MORTGAGE NOTE WHICH SQUIRE PEMBERTON HELD WOULD BE DUE IN JUNE, AND AS THE CREDITOR WAS NOT AN INDULGENT MAN, THERE WAS A PROSPECT THAT EVEN THE LITTLE cottage and the little farm might be wrested from them. THE FAMILY AT HOME CONSISTED OF MRS. SOMERS AND THREE CHILDREN. THE TWO OLDEST DAUGHTERS WERE MARRIED TO TWO HONEST, HARD-WORKING FISHERMEN AT THE HARBOR. THOMAS AND JOHN WERE TWINS, SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE. THE FORMER HAD A PLACE IN ONE OF THE STORES AT THE VILLAGE, AND THE LATTER OCCASIONALLY WENT A FISHING TRIP WITH HIS BROTHERS-IN-LAW. BOTH OF THE BOYS HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP TO WORK, AND THERE WAS NEED ENOUGH NOW THAT THEY SHOULD CONTRIBUTE WHAT THEY COULD TO THE SUPPORT OF THE FAMILY. THE YOUNGEST CHILD, JANE, WAS BUT ELEVEN YEARS OF AGE, AND WENT TO SCHOOL. MRS. SOMERS’S BROTHER, A FEEBLE OLD MAN, A SOLDIER IN THE WAR OF 1812, AND A PENSIONER OF THE GOVERNMENT, HAD BEEN A MEMBER OF THE family for twenty years; and was familiarly known in town as “Gran’ther Green.” HAVING THUS MADE OUR READERS ACQUAINTED WITH PINCHBROOK AND THE SOMERS FAMILY, WE are prepared to continue our story. THOMAS AND JOHN WALKED DOWN TO THE HARBOR TOGETHER AFTER DINNER. THE LATTER HAD LISTENED WITH INTEREST AND APPROBATION TO HIS BROTHER’S ACCOUNT OF THE “BATTLE OF PINCHBROOK,” AS HE FACETIOUSLY CALLED IT; AND PERHAPS HE THOUGHT THOMAS MIGHT NEED HIS ASSISTANCE BEFORE HE REACHED THE STORE, FOR FRED AND HIS FATHER WOULD NOT PROBABLY BE willing to let the matter rest where they had left it. WE ARE SORRY NOT TO BE ABLE TO APPROVE ALL THE ACTS OF THE HERO OF THIS VOLUME; BUT JOHN, without asking our opinion, fully indorsed the action of his brother. “FRED IS A TRAITOR, AND SO IS HIS FATHER,” SAID HE, AS THEY PASSED OUT AT THE FRONT GATE OF THE little cottage. “THAT’S SO, JACK; AND IT MADE MY BLOOD BOIL TO HEAR THEM TALK,” REPLIED THOMAS. “AND I couldn’t help calling things by their right names.” “BULLY FOR YOU, TOM!” ADDED JOHN, AS HE TURNED ROUND, AND GLANCED AT THE HOUSE TO ASSURE HIMSELF THEY WERE OUT OF THE HEARING OF THEIR MOTHER. “BETWEEN YOU AND ME, TOM, THERE will be music in Pinchbrook to-night.” He lowered his voice, and spoke in tones big with mystery and heavy with importance. “What do you mean?” asked Thomas, his interest excited by the words and manner of his brother. “There is fun ahead.” “Tell me what it’s all about.” “You won’t say a word—will you?” “Of course I won’t.” “Not to mother, I mean, most of all.” “Certainly not.” “Squire Pemberton has been talking too loud for his own good.” “I KNOW THAT; HE WAS IN THE STORE THIS FORENOON, AND JEFF DAVIS HIMSELF IS NO BIGGER TRAITOR than he is.” “Some of the people are going to make him a call to-night.” “What for?” “WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE? CAN’T YOU SEE THROUGH A MILLSTONE, TOM, WHEN THERE IS A HOLE IN it?” “I don’t know what you mean.” “YOU CAN COME WITH US IF YOU LIKE, AND THEN YOU WILL KNOW ALL ABOUT IT,” ADDED JOHN, mysteriously. “But what are you going to do?” “WE ARE GOING TO MAKE HIM HOIST THE AMERICAN FLAG ON HIS HOUSE, OR HANG IT OUT OF HIS window.” “Well, suppose he won’t.” “THEN WE’LL HANG HIM WHERE THE FLAG OUGHT TO BE. WE’LL PULL THE HOUSE DOWN OVER HIS head.” “I’m with you, Jack,” replied Thomas, with enthusiasm. “WE WON’T HAVE A TRAITOR IN PINCHBROOK. IF WE CAN’T CURE HIM, WE’LL RIDE HIM ON A RAIL OUT of the town.” “I don’t know as you and I ought to get into this scrape,” added Thomas, thoughtfully. “Why not?” “You know the squire has a mortgage on our house, and he may get ugly.” “LET HIM, IF HE LIKES. I’M NOT GOING TO TOLERATE A TRAITOR BECAUSE HE HAS A MORTGAGE ON MY father’s house. Besides, that is a fair business transaction; the squire gets his interest.” “Mother is afraid of him, as she is of the evil spirit.” “Women are always timid,” said John, sagely. “BY GEORGE! THERE COMES THE VERY MAN HIMSELF!” EXCLAIMED THOMAS, AS HE DISCOVERED A horse and chaise slowly approaching. “SO IT IS; THAT OLD CHAISE LOOKS RATHER THE WORSE FOR THE WEAR. IT LOOKS AS THOUGH IT HAD been through the wars.” THE VEHICLE DID BEAR VERY EVIDENT MARKS OF HARD USAGE. ONE OF THE SHAFTS WAS BROKEN, THE DASHER WRENCHED OFF, AND THE TOP STOVE IN. THE HORSE WAS COVERED WITH MUD, AND LIMPED BADLY FROM THE EFFECTS OF HIS FALL. THE BROKEN SHAFT AND THE HARNESS WERE NOW PLENTIFULLY ADORNED WITH ROPES AND OLD STRAPS. IN FACT, THE CATASTROPHE HAD UTTERLY RUINED ALL CLAIM which the chaise ever might have had to be considered a “hahnsome kerridge.” “THERE’LL BE FUN NEARER HOME, I RECKON,” SAID JOHN, AS HE OBTAINED HIS FIRST VIEW OF THE sour visage of the squire. “Can’t help it,” added Thomas. “Keep a stiff upper lip, Tom.” “I intend to do so.” “Don’t say a word about to-night, Tom.” “Of course not.” WHEN THE CHAISE HAD APPROACHED NEAR ENOUGH TO ENABLE THE SQUIRE TO RECOGNIZE THE AUTHOR OF HIS MISFORTUNES, HE STOPPED THE HORSE, AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WITH THE WHIP in his hand. “NOW, YOU YOUNG SCOUNDREL, I WILL TEACH YOU TO INSULT ME AND MY SON, AND DESTROY MY property. Stay in the chaise, Fred, and hold the horse,” he added to his son. BUT THERE WAS NOT MUCH NEED OF HOLDING THE HORSE NOW, FOR HE WAS TOO LAME TO RUN FAST OR FAR. THOMAS AND JOHN CAME TO A HALT; AND IF THE SQUIRE HAD BEEN A PRUDENT MAN, HE MIGHT have seen by the flash of their eyes, that he was about to engage in an unsafe operation. “I AM GOING TO HORSEWHIP YOU WITHIN AN INCH OF YOUR LIFE, YOU VILLAIN, YOU!” ROARED THE squire, brandishing the whip. “No, you are not,” replied Thomas, coolly. “If you drop the weight of that lash on my brother, I’ll smash your head,” added John. THE SQUIRE PAUSED, AND GLANCED AT THE WIRY FORM OF THE YOUNG SAILOR. BETTER THOUGHTS, OR at least wiser ones, came to his aid. “I CAN BRING YOU TO YOUR SENSES IN ANOTHER WAY,” SAID HE, DROPPING HIS WHIP, AND GETTING into the chaise again. “You will hear from me before the week is out.” “Let him go; don’t say a word, Tom,” added John. “He will prosecute me, I suppose he means by that.” “LET HIM PROSECUTE AND BE HANGED! I’LL BET BY TO-MORROW MORNING HE WILL THINK BETTER OF it. At any rate, he will find out what the people of Pinchbrook think of him.” THE BOYS RESUMED THEIR WALK, AND SOON REACHED THE STORE, WHERE THEY FOUND THE GROUP OF IDLERS, THAT ALWAYS FREQUENT SHOPS IN THE COUNTRY, BUSILY ENGAGED IN DISCUSSING THE AFFAIR IN WHICH THOMAS HAD BEEN THE PRINCIPAL ACTOR. AS THE BOYS ENTERED, THE HERO OF THE PINCHBROOK BATTLE WAS SALUTED WITH A VOLLEY OF APPLAUSE, AND HIS CONDUCT FULLY APPROVED and commended, for a copperhead in that day was an abomination to the people. CHAPTER III. TAMING A TRAITOR. Return to Table of Contents WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SQUIRE PEMBERTON, PINCHBROOK WAS A THOROUGHLY LOYAL TOWN; AND THE PEOPLE FELT THAT IT WAS A SCANDAL AND A DISGRACE TO HAVE EVEN A SINGLE TRAITOR WITHIN ITS BORDER. THE SQUIRE TOOK NO PAINS TO CONCEAL HIS TREASONABLE SENTIMENTS, THOUGH THE WHOLE TOWN WAS IN A BLAZE OF PATRIOTIC EXCITEMENT. ON THE CONTRARY, HE HAD GONE OUT OF HIS WAY, and taken a great deal of pains, to condemn the government and the people of the North. SQUIRE PEMBERTON WAS A WEALTHY MAN, AND HE HAD ALWAYS BEEN A PERSON OF GREAT INFLUENCE IN THE PLACE. HE HAD OCCUPIED ALL THE PRINCIPAL OFFICIAL POSITIONS IN TOWN AND COUNTY. HE HAD COME TO REGARD HIMSELF, AS HIS TOWNSMEN WERE FOR THE MOST PART WILLING TO REGARD HIM, AS THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ORACLE OF THE PLACE. WHAT HE THOUGHT IN TOWN MEETING WAS GENERALLY THE SENSE OF HIS FELLOW-CITIZENS, AND WHEN HE EXPRESSED HIMSELF IN words, his word was law. WHEN, ON SUNDAY MORNING, WITH FORT SUMTER IN RUINS, WITH THE NATIONAL FLAG TRODDEN UNDER THE FEET OF TRAITORS, WITH THE GOVERNMENT INSULTED AND THREATENED, SQUIRE PEMBERTON VENTURED TO SPEAK IN TONES OF CONDEMNATION OF THE FREE NORTH, THE PEOPLE OF PINCHBROOK LISTENED COLDLY, AT FIRST, TO THE SAYINGS OF THEIR ORACLE; AND WHEN HE BEGAN TO ABUSE THE LOYAL SPIRIT OF THE NORTH, SOME VENTURED TO DISSENT FROM HIM. THE ORACLE WAS NOT IN THE HABIT OF HAVING MEN DISSENT, AND IT MADE HIM ANGRY. HIS TREASON BECAME MORE TREASONABLE, HIS CONDEMNATION MORE BITTER. PLAIN, HONEST MEN, TO WHATEVER PARTY THEY MIGHT HAVE BELONGED, WERE DISGUSTED WITH THE GREAT MAN OF PINCHBROOK; AND SOME OF THEM VENTURED TO EXPRESS THEIR DISAPPROBATION OF HIS COURSE IN VERY DECIDED TERMS. SOME WERE DISPOSED TO BE INDULGENT BECAUSE THE SQUIRE HAD A SISTER IN GEORGIA WHO HAD MARRIED A PLANTER. BUT THERE WAS NOT FOUND A SINGLE PERSON, OUTSIDE OF HIS OWN FAMILY, WHO was mean enough to uphold him in his treacherous denunciation of the government. THE SQUIRE WAS TOO SELF-SUFFICIENT AND OPINIONATED TO BE INFLUENCED BY THE ADVICE OF FRIENDS OR THE WARNING OF THOSE WHO HAD SUDDENLY BECOME HIS ENEMIES. HE HAD SO OFTEN CARRIED THE TOWN TO HIS OWN VIEWS, THAT, PERHAPS, HE EXPECTED TO MANUFACTURE A PUBLIC SENTIMENT IN PINCHBROOK THAT WOULD PLACE THE TOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE REBELS. ALL DAY SUNDAY, AND ALL DAY MONDAY, HE RODE ABOUT THE HARBOR PREACHING TREASON. HE TRIED TO CONVINCE THE PEOPLE THAT THE SOUTH HAD ALL THE RIGHT, AND THE NORTH ALL THE WRONG; BUT HE had never found them so obstinate and incredulous before. TOWARDS NIGHT ONE OF THE MINISTERS VENTURED TO SUGGEST TO HIM THAT HE WAS SOWING THE WIND, AND WOULD REAP THE WHIRLWIND. THE GOOD MAN EVEN HINTED THAT HE HAD ROUSED A storm of indignation in the town which he might find it difficult to allay. THE SQUIRE LAUGHED AT THE MINISTER, AND TOLD HIM HE WAS NOT AFRAID OF ANY THING. HE INTENDED TO SPEAK HIS HONEST SENTIMENTS, AS EVERY CITIZEN HAD A RIGHT TO DO; AND HE WOULD like to see any man, or any body of men, who would dare to meddle with him. “I am afraid you will see them, Squire Pemberton,” added the minister. “Let them come where they please and when they please.” “What will you do? What is your single arm against scores of strong men?” “Nothing, perhaps, but I don’t fear them. I am true to my convictions; why need I fear?” “I THINK YOUR CONVICTIONS, AS YOU CALL THEM, ARE DELUDING YOU. DO YOU THINK BENEDICT Arnold’s convictions, if he had any, would have saved his neck from the halter?” “Do you mean to compare me to Benedict Arnold, sir?” “I CAME TO YOU, AS A FRIEND, TO WARN YOU OF IMPENDING DANGER; AND, AS YOUR FRIEND, I AM COMPELLED TO SAY THAT I DON’T SEE MUCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR POSITION AND THAT OF Benedict Arnold.” “Do you mean to insult me?” “NOT AT ALL, SIR. I WAS ONLY EXPRESSING MY HONEST CONVICTION. INSTEAD OF PLACING YOURSELF ON THE SIDE OF YOUR GOVERNMENT, ON THE SIDE OF LAW AND ORDER, YOU ARE GOING ABOUT PINCHBROOK HARBOR DENOUNCING THE LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT OF YOUR COUNTRY, AND PLEADING the cause of rebels and traitors.” “Am I not at liberty to say what I please of the government?” “IN ORDINARY TIMES, YOU ARE. JUST NOW, THE COUNTRY IS IN A STATE OF WAR, AND HE WHO IS NOT FOR THE FLAG IS AGAINST IT. YOU MAY CRITICIZE THE GOVERNMENT AS ITS FRIEND, BUT NOT AS ITS FOE. WHEN ARMED MEN CONSPIRE AGAINST THE PEACE OF THE LAND, HE WHO PLEADS THEIR CAUSE IS A traitor—nay, sir, don’t be angry; these are my convictions.” “POLITICAL PARSONS HAVE BEEN THE RUIN OF THE COUNTRY,” SNEERED THE SQUIRE. “THAT IS MY conviction.” “SQUIRE PEMBERTON, I BEG YOU NOT TO BE RASH. IF YOU MUST CHERISH THESE PERNICIOUS VIEWS, I ENTREAT YOU, KEEP THEM TO YOURSELF. YOU MAY THINK WHAT YOU PLEASE, BUT THE UTTERANCE of treason makes a traitor.” “I SHALL PROCLAIM MY VIEWS FROM THE HOUSETOP,” REPLIED THE SQUIRE, ANGRILY, AS HE ABRUPTLY turned away from the minister. THE SQUIRE CONTINUED OBDURATE TO THE LAST. NEITHER THE PERSUASIONS OF HIS FRIENDS NOR THE THREATS OF HIS ENEMIES HAD ANY EFFECT IN SILENCING HIS TONGUE; AND AS LATE AS SUNDOWN ON THAT DAY OF THE GREAT AWAKENING HE WAS POURING TREACHERY AND TREASON INTO THE EARS OF A NEIGHBOR WHO HAPPENED TO PASS HIS HOUSE. HALF AN HOUR LATER IN THE DAY, THERE WAS A GREAT GATHERING OF MEN AND BOYS AT THE BRIDGE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE VILLAGE. THEY WERE SINGING Hail Columbia and the Star-spangled Banner. Thomas and John Somers were there. PRESENTLY THE ASSEMBLAGE BEGAN TO MOVE UP THE ROAD WHICH LED TO SQUIRE PEMBERTON’S HOUSE, SINGING PATRIOTIC SONGS AS THEY MARCHED. IT WAS A MULTITUDE OF PERSONS FOR PINCHBROOK; AND NO DOUBT THE OBNOXIOUS ORACLE THOUGHT SO WHEN HE SAW THE SEA OF HEADS THAT SURROUNDED HIS DWELLING. IF THIS WAS A MOB, IT WAS CERTAINLY A VERY ORDERLY MOB, FOR the crowd thus far had done nothing worse than to sing the national airs. THE ARRANGEMENTS HAD ALL BEEN MADE BEFORE THE MULTITUDE STARTED FROM THE PLACE OF RENDEZVOUS. THREE GENTLEMEN, THE PRINCIPAL OF WHOM WAS CAPTAIN BARNEY, HAD BEEN APPOINTED A COMMITTEE TO WAIT UPON THE SQUIRE, AND POLITELY REQUEST HIM TO DISPLAY THE American flag on his premises. IN THE ROAD, IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE, A LARGE FIRE HAD BEEN KINDLED, WHICH THREW A BROAD, BRIGHT GLARE ON THE HOUSE AND THE SURROUNDING GROUNDS. IT WAS AS LIGHT AS DAY IN THE VICINITY WHEN THE COMMITTEE WALKED UP TO THE FRONT DOOR OF THE HOUSE AND RANG THE BELL. The squire answered the summons himself. “SQUIRE PEMBERTON,” SAID CAPTAIN BARNEY, “YOUR FELLOW-CITIZENS, ABOUT TWO HUNDRED IN number, have called upon you with a simple and reasonable request.” “What is it?” demanded the squire. “That you hoist the Stars and Stripes on your house.” “I won’t do it!” roared the victim, as he slammed the door in the faces of the committee. “That is insolence,” said Captain Barney, quietly. “We will go in.” The captain led the way; but the door had been locked upon them. The shoulders of three stout men pressed against it, and the bolt yielded. “WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU VILLAINS?” THUNDERED THE SQUIRE, AS HE CONFRONTED THE COMMITTEE in the entry. “YOU WERE SO IMPOLITE AS TO CLOSE THE DOOR IN OUR FACES BEFORE WE HAD FINISHED OUR STORY,” replied the immovable old sea captain. “How dare you break in my door?” growled the squire. “We shall do worse than that, squire, if you don’t treat us respectfully.” “A man’s house is his castle,” added the squire, a little more moderately. “THAT’S VERY GOOD LAW, BUT THERE ISN’T A HOUSE IN PINCHBROOK THAT IS BIG ENOUGH OR STRONG ENOUGH TO SHIELD A TRAITOR FROM THE INDIGNATION OF HIS FELLOW-CITIZENS. WE DO NOT PURPOSE TO harm you or your property, if you behave like a reasonable man.” “YOU SHALL SUFFER FOR THIS OUTRAGE,” GASPED THE SQUIRE, WHOSE RAGE WAS INCREASED BY THE cool and civil manner of Captain Barney. “WHEN YOU CLOSED THE DOOR IN MY FACE, I HAD INTIMATED THAT YOUR FELLOW-CITIZENS WISH YOU to display the national flag.” “I refuse to do it, sir.” “CONSIDER, SQUIRE, WHAT YOU SAY. THE PEOPLE HAVE MADE UP THEIR MINDS NOT TO TOLERATE A traitor within the corporate limits of the town of Pinchbrook.” “I am no traitor.” “THAT IS PRECISELY WHAT WE WISH YOU TO DEMONSTRATE TO YOUR FELLOW-CITIZENS ASSEMBLED outside to witness an exhibition of your patriotism.” “I will not do it on compulsion.” “Then, sir, we shall be obliged to resort to disagreeable measures.” “WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT, SIR?” ASKED THE SQUIRE, WHO WAS EVIDENTLY ALARMED BY THE threat. “Do you mean to proceed to violence?” “We do, Squire Pemberton,” answered Captain Barney, decidedly. “O MY COUNTRY!” SIGHED THE VICTIM, “HAS IT COME TO THIS? THE LAWS WILL NO LONGER PROTECT her citizens.” “THAT’S VERY FINE, SIR. DO YOU EXPECT THE LAWS TO PROTECT YOU WHILE YOU ARE AIDING AND ABETTING THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO DESTROY THEM? IS THERE ANY LAW TO PROTECT A TRAITOR IN HIS treason? But we waste time, Squire Pemberton. Will you display the American flag?” “Suppose I refuse?” “We will pull your house down over your head. We will give you a coat of tar and feathers, AND REMOVE YOU BEYOND THE LIMITS OF THE TOWN. IF YOU EVER COME BACK, WE WILL HANG YOU to the nearest tree.” “Good Heaven! Is it possible that my fellow-citizens are assassins—incendiaries!” “Your answer, squire.” “FOR MERCY’S SAKE, HUSBAND, DO WHAT THEY ASK,” INTERPOSED HIS WIFE, WHO HAD BEEN AN anxious listener in the adjoining room. “I MUST DO IT,” GROANED THE SQUIRE, SPEAKING THE TRUTH ALMOST FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FORTY- eight hours. “Alas! where is our boasted liberty of speech!” “FUDGE! SQUIRE,” REPLIED CAPTAIN BARNEY, CONTEMPTUOUSLY. “IF YOUR FRIEND JEFF DAVIS SHOULD COME TO MASSACHUSETTS TO-MORROW, TO PREACH A CRUSADE AGAINST THE NORTH, AND TO RAISE AN ARMY TO DESTROY THE FREE INSTITUTIONS OF THE COUNTRY, I SUPPOSE YOU THINK IT WOULD BE AN OUTRAGE UPON FREE SPEECH TO PUT HIM DOWN. WE DON’T THINK SO. UP WITH THE FLAG, squire.” “FRED, YOU MAY HANG THE FLAG OUT AT THE FRONT WINDOW UP STAIRS,” SAID THE SQUIRE TO HIS son. “All right, squire. Now a few words more, and we bid you good night. You may think WHAT YOU PLEASE, BUT IF YOU UTTER ANOTHER WORD OF TREASON IN PINCHBROOK DURING THE TERM OF your natural life, the party outside will carry out the rest of the programme.” BY THIS TIME FRED PEMBERTON HAD FASTENED THE FLAG TO ONE OF HIS MOTHER’S CLOTHES POLES, AND SUSPENDED IT OUT OF THE WINDOW OVER THE PORCH. IT WAS HAILED WITH THREE TREMENDOUS CHEERS BY THE MULTITUDE WHO WERE IN WAITING TO DISCIPLINE THE SQUIRE, AND EXORCISE THE EVIL spirit of treason and secession. THE WORK OF THE EVENING WAS FINISHED, NOT WHOLLY TO THE SATISFACTION, PERHAPS, OF A PORTION OF THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLAGE, WHO WOULD GLADLY HAVE JOINED IN THE WORK OF PILLAGE AND DESTRUCTION, BUT MUCH TO THE GRATIFICATION OF THE OLDER AND STEADIER PORTION OF the crowd, who were averse to violent proceedings. CHAPTER IV. THE COMMITTEE COME OUT, AND TOM GOES IN. Return to Table of Contents WHILE THE COMMITTEE WHICH THE LOYAL CITIZENS OF PINCHBROOK HAD APPOINTED TO CONDUCT THEIR CASE WITH SQUIRE PEMBERTON WERE IN THE HOUSE, ENGAGED IN BRINGING THE TRAITOR TO TERMS, THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLAGE WERE VERY IMPATIENT TO KNOW HOW MATTERS WERE PROGRESSING. THOMAS SOMERS WAS PARTICULARLY ANXIOUS TO HAVE THE AFFAIR BROUGHT TO A CRISIS. IN VAIN HE AND A FEW OTHER OF THE YOUNG LOYALISTS ATTEMPTED TO OBTAIN A view of the interior of the house, where the exciting interview was in progress. CAPTAIN BARNEY, ON SHORE AS WELL AS AT SEA, WAS A THOROUGH DISCIPLINARIAN. OF COURSE, HE WAS AWARE THAT HIS PROCEEDINGS WERE TECHNICALLY ILLEGAL; THAT IN FORCING HIMSELF INTO THE HOUSE OF THE SQUIRE HE WAS BREAKING THE LAW OF THE LAND; BUT IT SEEMED TO HIM TO BE ONE OF THOSE CASES WHERE PROMPT ACTION WAS NECESSARY, AND THE LAW WAS TOO TARDY TO BE OF ANY SERVICE. HE WAS, HOWEVER, DETERMINED THAT THE BUSINESS SHOULD BE DONE WITH AS LITTLE VIOLENCE AS POSSIBLE, AND HE HAD INSTRUCTED THE CITIZENS AT THE BRIDGE TO DO NO NEEDLESS injury to the property or the feelings of the squire or his family. WHEN HE ENTERED THE HOUSE, HE HAD STATIONED THREE MEN AT THE DOOR TO PREVENT ANY OF THE PEOPLE FROM FOLLOWING HIM. HE HAD ALSO DIRECTED THEM NOT TO ENTER THE YARD OR GROUNDS OF THE HOUSE UNTIL HE GAVE THE SIGNAL. THESE DIRECTIONS PROVED A GREAT HARDSHIP TO THE BOYS IN THE CROWD, AND THEY WERE COMPLETELY DISGUSTED WHEN THEY SAW THE FLAG THROWN LOOSE from the front window. THE MANSION OF SQUIRE PEMBERTON WAS AN OLD-FASHIONED DWELLING, ABOUT A HUNDRED FEET FROM THE ROAD. IN FRONT OF IT WAS A GREEN LAWN, ADORNED WITH SEVERAL LARGE BUTTONWOOD TREES. THERE WAS NO FENCE TO ENCLOSE WHAT WAS CALLED THE FRONT YARD. THE CROWD WAS ASSEMBLED ON THIS LAWN, AND AGREEABLY TO THE DIRECTIONS OF THE LEADER, OR CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, NONE OF THEM PASSED INTO THE YARD IN THE REAR AND AT THE END OF THE HOUSE, which was separated from the lawn by a picket fence. BOYS ARE INSTINCTIVELY CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON, AND THE “LIVING ROOM” OF THE SQUIRE, IN WHICH THE EXCITING CONVERSATION WAS TAKING PLACE, WAS IN THE REAR OF THE HOUSE. THE WINDOWS ON THE FRONT WERE DARK AND UNCOMMUNICATIVE. THE BOYS WERE RESTLESS AND IMPATIENT; IF THERE WAS TO BE ANY FUN, THEY WANTED TO SEE IT. THOMAS WAS AS IMPATIENT AS HIS FELLOWS, AND BEING MORE ENTERPRISING THAN THE OTHERS, HE DETERMINED, WHILE OBEYING the instructions of Captain Barney in the spirit, to disobey them in the letter. HE HAD BEEN A SUFFERER TO THE EXTENT OF TWO GREAT WALES ON THE CALVES OF HIS LEGS BY THE TREASON OF THE SQUIRE, AND NO DOUBT HE THOUGHT HE OUGHT TO BE REGARDED AS AN EXCEPTION TO THOSE WHO WERE CALLED ON TO OBSERVE THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE. LEAVING THE GROUP OF INQUIRING MINDS NEAR THE FRONT DOOR OF THE HOUSE, HE WALKED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY TILL HE CAME TO A RAIL FENCE, THROUGH WHICH HE CRAWLED, AND ENTERED THE FIELD ADJOINING THE GARDEN OF THE SQUIRE. HIS FELLOW-CITIZENS, MEN AND BOYS, WERE TOO INTENTLY watching the house to heed him, and no one noticed his enterprising movement. FROM THE FIELD, HE ENTERED THE GARDEN, AND MADE HIS WAY TO THE REAR OF THE HOUSE. BUT EVEN HERE, HE WAS DOOMED TO DISAPPOINTMENT, FOR MRS. PEMBERTON HAD DRAWN HER CURTAINS. OUR HERO WAS NOT, HOWEVER, TO BE UTTERLY DEFEATED, AND AS THE CURTAINS HAD NOT BEEN FITTED BY AN ACCOMPLISHED UPHOLSTERER, THERE WERE OPENINGS ON EITHER SIDE, THROUGH which he might command a full view of the interior of the room. THOMAS PROCEEDED SLOWLY AND CAUTIOUSLY TO OBTAIN A POSITION WHICH WOULD ENABLE HIM TO GRATIFY HIS CURIOSITY, AND WITNESS THE HUMILIATION OF THE HAUGHTY SQUIRE. BENEATH THE WINDOW WHICH, HE HAD CHOSEN TO LOOK THROUGH, THERE WAS A CELLAR DOOR, FROM WHICH A PILE OF SEAWEED, PLACED UPON IT TO KEEP THE FROST OUT OF THE CELLAR, HAD JUST BEEN REMOVED. THE ADVENTUROUS INQUIRER CREPT UP THE SLIPPERY BOARDS, AND GAINED THE COVETED POSITION. HE COULD NOT ONLY SEE THE COMMITTEE AND THE SQUIRE, BUT HE COULD HEAR ALL THEY SAID. HE WAS PERFECTLY DELIGHTED WITH THE MANNER IN WHICH THE CAPTAIN PUT THE QUESTION TO THE SQUIRE; AND WHEN THE LATTER ORDERED FRED TO HANG OUT THE FLAG, HE WAS A LITTLE DISPOSED TO IMITATE THE MASCULINE OCCUPANTS OF THE HEN-HOUSE, A SHORT DISTANCE FROM HIS PERCH; BUT TOM, AS WE HAVE BEFORE INTIMATED, HAD A VERY TOLERABLE IDEA OF THE PRINCIPLES OF STRATEGY, AND HAD THE SELF-POSSESSION TO HOLD HIS TONGUE, AND PERMIT THE TRIUMPHANT SCENE WITHIN TO PASS without a crow or a cheer. THE BATTLE HAD BEEN FOUGHT AND THE VICTORY WON; AND THOUGH TOM FELT THAT HE WAS ONE OF THE VICTORS, HE DEEMED IT PRUDENT, FOR STRATEGICAL REASONS, TO COMMENCE A RETREAT. THE CELLAR DOORS, AS WE HAVE BEFORE HINTED, WERE VERY SLIPPERY, HAVING BEEN THOROUGHLY SOAKED WITH MOISTURE WHILE COVERED WITH THE SEAWEED. WHEN THE HERO OF THIS UNAUTHORIZED RECONNOISSANCE WHEELED ABOUT TO COMMENCE HIS RETREAT, HIS FEET INCONTINENTLY SLIPPED UP UPON THE INCLINED SURFACE OF THE DOORS, AND HE CAME DOWN HEAVILY UPON THE ROTTEN BOARDS. THIS, IN ITSELF, WOULD HAVE BEEN BUT AN INCONSIDERABLE DISASTER, AND HE MIGHT STILL HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM THE INCONVENIENT LOCALITY, IF CIRCUMSTANCES HAD NOT CONSPIRED AGAINST HIM, AS CIRCUMSTANCES SOMETIMES WILL, WHEN THEY OUGHT TO BE CONCILIATORY AND ACCOMMODATING. THE FORCE WITH WHICH TOM FELL UPON THE DECAYED BOARDS WAS TOO MUCH FOR THEM, AND THE UNLUCKY ADVENTURER BECAME ANOTHER VICTIM TO THE treachery of rotten wood, which has hurled so many thousands from time into eternity. BUT TOM WAS NOT HURLED SO FAR AS THAT ON THE PRESENT OCCASION, THOUGH FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES, FOR THE SUCCEEDING HALF HOUR, HE MIGHT AS WELL HAVE BEEN A HUNDRED FATHOMS UNDER WATER, OR BENEATH THE WRECK OF A TWENTY-TON LOCOMOTIVE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER. THAT CELLAR DOOR WAS A BAD PLACE TO FALL THROUGH, WHICH MAY BE ACCOUNTED FOR ON THE SUPPOSITION THAT IT WAS NOT MADE TO FALL THROUGH. IN HIS DOWNWARD PROGRESS, TOM HAD UNLUCKILY STRUCK HIS HEAD AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE; AND WHEN HE LANDED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS, HE WAS UTTERLY OBLIVIOUS TO ALL DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN TREASON AND LOYALTY. TOM WAS NOT KILLED, I NEED NOT INFORM THE INGENIOUS READER, OR THIS WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN THE LAST CHAPTER OF THE STORY; BUT THE POOR FELLOW DID NOT KNOW WHETHER HE WAS DEAD OR alive. In fact, he had not sense enough left to consider the question at all; for there he lay, in the GLOOM OF THE TRAITOR’S DARK CELLAR, SILENT AND MOTIONLESS—A SOLEMN WARNING TO ALL OUR YOUNG READERS OF THE FOLLY AND WICKEDNESS OF INDULGING AN ILLEGAL AND SINFUL CURIOSITY. IT MAY SEEM CRUEL AND INHUMAN IN US TO FORSAKE POOR TOM IN THIS SAD PLIGHT; BUT WE MUST, NEVERTHELESS, GO UP STAIRS, IN ORDER THAT THE SUFFERER MAY BE DULY AND PROPERLY RELIEVED IN due and proper season. WHEN THE COMMITTEE OF THREE, APPOINTED BY THE INDIGNANT LOYALISTS OF PINCHBROOK, HAD COMPLETED THEIR MISSION IN THE HOUSE OF THE SQUIRE, LIKE SENSIBLE MEN THEY PROPOSED TO LEAVE; AND THEY SO EXPRESSED THEMSELVES, THROUGH THEIR SPOKESMAN, TO THE UNWILLING HOST. THEY PUT THEIR HATS ON, AND MOVED INTO THE FRONT ENTRY, WHITHER THEY WERE FOLLOWED BY THE DISCOMFITED TRAITOR. THEY HAD SCARCELY LEFT THE ROOM BEFORE A TREMENDOUS CRASH GREETED THE EARS OF THAT PORTION OF THE FAMILY WHICH REMAINED IN THE APARTMENT. THIS WAS THE PRECISE MOMENT AT WHICH POOR TOM SOMERS FOUND HIMSELF ON THE BOTTOM OF THE CELLAR; or, to be entirely accurate, when he lost himself on the bottom of the cellar. MRS. PEMBERTON HEARD THE CRASH, AND SHE VERY NATURALLY CONCLUDED THAT THE HOUR OF RETRIBUTION HAD ACTUALLY COME; THAT THE TERRIBLE MOB HAD COMMENCED THE WORK OF DESTRUCTION. TO HER “FEAR-AMAZED” MIND IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE WHOLE SIDE OF THE HOUSE HAD FALLEN IN, AND, FOR A MOMENT, SHE CONFIDENTLY EXPECTED THE CHIMNEYS WOULD PRESENTLY GO BY THE BOARD, AND THE ROOF COME THUNDERING DOWN UPON THE DEVOTED HEADS OF HER OUTRAGED FAMILY. PERHAPS, AT THAT TERRIBLE MOMENT, SHE WISHED HER HUSBAND HAD BEEN LIKE OTHER WOMEN’S HUSBANDS, A TRUE AND LOYAL MAN, CHEERING THE OLD FLAG, AND HURLING harmless anathemas at the graceless rebels. BUT THE CHIMNEY DID NOT GO BY THE BOARD, NOR THE ROOF COME THUNDERING DOWN UPON HER HEAD. THERE WAS NOT EVEN A SOUND OF DESTRUCTION TO BE HEARD, AND THE SIDES OF THE HOUSE SEEMED TO BE FIRM AND DECIDED IN THEIR INTENTION TO MAINTAIN THEIR PERPENDICULAR POSITION. A FEW MINUTES LATER, WHEN THE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED TO THE MULTITUDE THE SUCCESS OF THEIR UNDERTAKING, AND FRED HAD DISPLAYED THE FLAG FROM THE WINDOW, PEAL UPON PEAL OF STUNNING HUZZAS SALUTED HER EARS, AND THE AWFUL PERIL OF THE PRECEDING MOMENTS APPEARED TO BE AVERTED. THE SQUIRE, HAVING CLOSED AND BARRICADED THE BROKEN DOOR AS WELL AS HE COULD, RETURNED TO THE ROOM, WITH CURSES DEEP AND BITTER UPON HIS LIPS. HE WAS NOT IN THE HABIT OF SWEARING, BUT THE MAGNITUDE OF THE OCCASION SEEMED TO JUSTIFY THE INNOVATION, AND HE SWORE HUGELY, ROUNDLY, AWFULLY. HE PACED THE ROOM, GROUND HIS TEETH, AND STAMPED upon the floor. “FATHER, DID YOU HEAR THAT TERRIBLE RACKET JUST NOW?” ASKED MRS. PEMBERTON. “I THOUGHT the side of the house had fallen in.” “What racket?” demanded the squire, pausing in his excited walk. “I am sure they have broken something.” “It sounded as though it was down cellar,” added Susan, the daughter. “What was it?” asked the father. “I DON’T KNOW. IT SOUNDED LIKE BREAKING BOARDS. DO GO DOWN CELLAR, AND FIND OUT WHAT IT was.” “THE SCOUNDRELS!” ROARED THE SQUIRE, AS HE RUSHED UP AND DOWN THE ROOM AGAIN WITH THE fury of a madman. “I’ll teach them to break into my house!” “BE CALM, FATHER,” INTERPOSED MRS. PEMBERTON, WHO, LIKE MOST NEW ENGLAND MOTHERS, called her husband by the title which belonged exclusively to the children. “Calm? How can I be calm? Don’t you hear the ruffians shout and yell?” “They are only cheering the flag.” THE SQUIRE MUTTERED A MALEDICTION UPON THE FLAG, WHICH WOULD PROBABLY HAVE PROCURED FOR HIM A COAT OF TAR AND FEATHERS, IF THE MOB HAD HEARD IT. MRS. PEMBERTON WAS SILENT, FOR SHE HAD NEVER SEEN HER HUSBAND SO MOVED BEFORE. SHE PERMITTED HIM TO PACE THE ROOM IN his frenzy till his anger had, in some measure, subsided. “I wish you would go down cellar and find out what that noise was,” said Mrs. Pemberton, AS SOON AS SHE DARED TO SPEAK AGAIN. “PERHAPS SOME OF THEM ARE DOWN THERE NOW. WHO knows but they will set the house afire.” SQUIRE PEMBERTON WAS STARTLED BY THIS SUGGESTION, AND, SEIZING THE LAMP, HE RUSHED DOWN cellar to prevent so dire a calamity. CHAPTER V. THE ATTIC CHAMBER. Return to Table of Contents SQUIRE PEMBERTON RUSHED DOWN CELLAR. HE WAS VERY MUCH EXCITED, AND FORGOT THAT HE HAD BEEN TROUBLED WITH THE RHEUMATISM DURING THE PRECEDING WINTER. WHEN HE OPENED THE CELLAR DOOR, HE WAS CONSIDERABLY RELIEVED TO FIND THAT NO BRILLIANT LIGHT SALUTED HIS EXPECTANT GAZE. IT WAS AS COLD AND DARK IN THE CELLAR AS IT HAD BEEN WHEN HE SORTED OVER the last of his Warren Russets, a few days before. IT WAS CERTAIN, THEREFORE, THAT THE HOUSE WAS NOT ON FIRE; AND, INVIGORATED BY THIS THOUGHT, HE DESCENDED THE STAIRS. A STRONG CURRENT OF FRESH, COLD AIR EXTINGUISHED THE LIGHT HE CARRIED. AS THIS WAS CONTRARY TO HIS USUAL EXPERIENCE WHEN HE WENT DOWN CELLAR IN THE EVENING AFTER AN APPLE OR A MUG OF CIDER, IT ASSURED HIM THAT THERE WAS A SCREW LOOSE SOMEWHERE. RETURNING TO THE ROOM ABOVE, HE PROCURED A LANTERN, AND PROCEEDED TO THE cellar again to renew his investigations. THE SQUIRE FELT THE COLD BLAST OF THE APRIL AIR, AND IMMEDIATELY MADE HIS WAY TO THE CELLAR DOOR, HOLDING THE LANTERN UP AS HIGH AS HIS HEAD, TO ASCERTAIN THE NATURE OF THE MISCHIEF WHICH THE FANATICAL ABOLITIONISTS HAD PERPETRATED. HE SAW THAT THE CELLAR DOOR WAS BROKEN THROUGH. THE ROTTEN BOARDS LAY UPON THE STEPS, AND WITH ANOTHER MALEDICTION UPON THE MOB, HE PLACED THE LANTERN UPON A BARREL, AND PROCEEDED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. AS HE STEPPED FORWARD, HE STUMBLED AGAINST THE BODY OF THE ENTERPRISING HERO OF THIS VOLUME, who lay as calm and still as a sleeping child. The squire started back, not a little alarmed at the sight of the moti...