Page 66 - Family History

Family Stories

plans and movements had been kept secret and our minds were made up for the
worst.

Arriving within a few miles of Dungeness, we suddenly observed ahead a light
in the middle of the road. We halted to consider. Things were happening strictly
according to our painful expectation. Although too far distant to observe details,
there was no doubt in our minds as to what it was. It was a plain case of
ambush; a rope stretched across the road lighted with a lantern, and a bunch of

strong-arm men of the opposition concealed in the brush waiting to beat us up
should we attempt to pass.

The prospect was not at all alluring. We debated whether to proceed or return and

finally decided to go forward cautiously being prepared to retire in good order
should circumstances demand or even faintly suggest such a course.

As we proceeded, with our hearts in the vicinity of our adams-apple, the road
abruptly turned to the right and the light proved to be a lamp in a farm house
window far off the road. The ambush dissolved into thin air. The scouts breathed
easier, inspired themselves with fresh courage and went forward.

The main body had been lumbering slowly along and the dense darkness
arrived at the canyon of McDonald Creek, where it was thought wise to go into
battle formation and to move thereafter with due caution and discipline. A

commander-in-chief was chosen. That redoubtable leader at once displayed
military genius. He thus addressed his forces:

“Men, from now on there must be no lighting of pipes or loud talk.
Remember, we are in the land of the enemy.”

Mr. Fisher and myself, meanwhile had arrived in the outskirts of Dungeness

and, parking our steeds, proceeded on foot, rather nervously, not knowing at
what moment we might stumble upon some watchful sentinel who would shoot
first and investigate post mortem. By dint of much climbing of fences and
hiding behind barns we finally succeeded in arriving undetected in the rear of

the court house where we could have all of the movements of the opposition under
observation.

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