Claiborne the rebel. A romance of Maryland

Front matter

CLAIBOENE THE EEBEL.

A EOMANCE

OF

Chapter I

It was on an afternoon of a delightful day in the summer of IG — , that a horseman, armed at all points, and having the precise bearing of one long accustomed to military discipline, rode hastily toward the little fort of St. Inigoes, and demanded instant admittance. After a short parley the drawbridge was lowered ; and the soldier, as if impatient of delay, spurred directly into the enclosure, and dismounting, inquired for the officer in command.

“He will be here anon,” said one of the group x-'ho had eagerly gathered around the new comer, wondering what could have induced his presence, and what were the tidings of moment that seemed to brook of no delay.

“ He will be here anon, but ere he greet thee, const thou not favor us with the skirt of thy commission 1 Methinks Anas Todkill plied the flanks of his horse with more zeal than befits a peaceful rider.”

“ Thou art right, Tony,” said the Ancient, laughing. “ And were I to pro[)hccy a stirring up of the lazy blood of these, your fellows — a putting on of morion and breast-plate, and a freer acquaintance with harquebuss and broad-sword than has been their wont of late, my bolt would not fly far from the mark. So look well to your defences, my lads ; for there are eyes upon you of which you reck not ; and hands to work mischief, which, although unseen at present, are not the less busily employed. Think ve that bush, or briar, bent my doublet thus]”"

As theMoughty Ancient propounded the question, he held up his doublet, which was worn under his breast and back-plate, to the view of those around, and thus continued,

“ Thanks to morion and steel-jacket, the arrows of the salvages have cost me naught save the mending a goodly garment, the cost of which I shall pray the Governor to remit me as in duty bound. But out upon ye knaves ! Is the flagon broken, and the black-jack drained, that you forget a long ride makes a parched tongue] Nay; and if such be your welcome, I shall crave the next time that other messenger than Anas Todkill be sent to those who lack that first of soldierly qualities— hospitality to a brother in arms.”

“Cry you mercy, sir]” said Tony, with a deprecating gesture. “We waited but till you had disburthened yourself of the matters touching your sudden appearance among us, or ere now the flagon had been at thy lips; and if thy draught were worthy of our greeting, it would not be returned us undrained.”

“ Say you so ]” said the old soldier — “ nay, then, I confess myself to blame ; lead on, my friend, thou wilt find it no small measure that a thirsty man like me leaves unfathomed.”

Without further parley, Tony thrust his arm through that of the soldier, and ushered him into the guard-room, upon the table of which was placed, with all imaginable celerity, a choicer assortment of liquids than had ever passed under the surveillance of the Commandant, or had been guilty of paying a fee to the Proprietary.

The eyes of Anas Todkill glistened as he surveyed the goodly number of vessels displayed before him ; and as he sipped alternately of claret, sack, or Canary, with a running commentary upon the quality of each, beseemed dubious upon which the more particularly to attach himself, until, at length, catching the demure expression upon the countenance of his host, relieved, as itxvas, by an almost imperceptible curl of the lip, and a furtive twinkle of the eye, he relinquished his attempt to discriminate between the excellence of the potations before him, and burst into a loud laugh.

“Now Mary, Mother ! — that puritanical face of thine, Anthony Winton, assures me there are more ports of entry than are known to the Lord Proprietary ; but. Ware hawk comrade, the Governor hath a quick eye, and a heavy hand, and it would grieve me to see thine hospitality mulcted of the presence of such cheer-inspiring friends as these.” So saying, he applied himself lustily, and then throwing himself back in his seat, he smacked his lips, and drawing a long breath, ejaculated an emphatic self-delighted “Ah.” While he is thus pleasantly engaged with his own thoughts, it may not be amiss to give the reader a slight sketch of the worthy personage to whom we have somewhat unceremoniously introduced him.

Short of stature, but with a breadth of frame that amply compensated for the want of that length of limb which would have weakened rather than added

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to the almost Herculean strength he was known to possess. The erectness of his bearing, amounting almost to stiffness, bespoke a military education begun and perfected beneath the eye of a strict disciplinarian. In his younger days he had served under Captain John Smith, and, with him, was one of the first to explore the wonders of the broad Chesapeake, and hold intercourse with the numerous tribes of Indians whose villages dotted at intervals either shore of the glorious bay, or might be found upon the banks of its less turbulent, but equally beautiful tributaries. After partaking of the good and evil fortunes of the Colony of Virginia for many years, dissatisfied with the manner in which the company, upon whom the grant of that province was bestowed, had treated his former able and energetic commander, he took service under Leonard Calvert, by whom he was greatly respected for his soldierly qualities, and the knowledge he possessed of the Indian language and mode of warfare.

His face was tanned by exposure and long service, to almost the copper color of the Aborigines, although, upon the removal of his morion, the original fairness of his skin was still visible upon the upjjer portions of his forehead. His eyes were dark, and possessed a quick and vigilant expression — his nose was rather short, with an almost imperceptible curve at the extremity, indicative of a fund of dry humor, which, qualified, as it was, by the firmness of the mouth, rendered him entertaining as a companion, and equally acceptable as an ally in cases of extreme necessity. But the most peculiar characteristic of the man was his raoustachios, which were sedulously trimmed in a waving line, the ends curling upwards toward the outer corner of his eyes, and presenting, as a front view, the appearance of an unstrung Saxon bow; of these he was exceedingly vain, and an oath sworn by them, or by his beard, a thick, bushy appendage, not unworthy to companion the clothing of the upper lip, was held by him as rigidly enjoining a compliance in the duties thus undertaken, as the vow of a knight of the olden time, made at the shrine of some favored saint.

His dress consisted of a morion, and back and breast-platp, beneath which was a green cloth doublet with long skirts hanging almost down to the knees ; hose of the same material and color, and Spanish bulf boots, upon which were fastened a pair of spurs, the rowels being of a most formidable size. Add to these a steel gorget, a stout leathern baldrick slung sash-wise, from which depended a heavy sword, and the reader can form some idea of his appearance.

“Good cheer,” continued thcxAncient, after a few minutes pause, “good cheer, friend Anthony, whether it be of liquids or substantials, hath a marvelous effect upon the humor of a man. It increaseth wonderfully his estimation of self, and yet openeth his heart toward others. It addeth point to his wit, if he be ever gifted with any, and flavoreth his discourse if he hath words at command. Your lean anatomy may have a subtler thought and a readier invention, but thou shalt note him to be prone to disaffection, quick and irrascible when thwarted, and lacking, in a great measure, the preservative qualities that balance the temperament of one who eateth and drinketh with a zest that laugheth care out of countenance, and bids sorrow carry his rueful visage to him who hath eaten nought since yesterday. Now — ”

It is difficult to say how long the worthy Ancient would have gone on moralizing in this strain, as he evidently grew warmer with each replenishing of the cup, had not his discourse been cut short by Tony, who said,

“Body o’ me, Anas Todkilll how canst thou reconcile this, thy doctrine, that pursiness and good humor are companions, with the fact that the widow Watkins, who is six feet in height, and correspondingly propoitioned, broke thy sconce last Christmas day, and chased thee from above Thornton’s mill, even to the gates of the fort of St. Mary’s. — Canst thou solve me this, comrade ?”

A loud laugh from the rest of the company testified the delight they took in seeing the Ancient so effectually tasked, and gibes and jests were broken upon him from all quarters. He looked puzzled for a moment, but not disconcerted.

“ Why, look ye now, comrades, it was of men I spoke — of men, I say — not of women. I will be judged by you all, if I said aught of women. Now we know that a man’s nature is one thing, and a woman’s nature another. Like the labyrinth of Fair Rosamond, which the old ballad speaks of, winding many ways, and not to be traced out except by one who holds the clew ; so that the example of the widow Watkins hath no effect here. That I was beaten by the widow I confess, but the morrow brought with it a loving reconcilement; although since that time I have prudently worn morion and breast-plate while visiting, lest she be tempted to put my manhood to the proof, by a repetition of her Christmas outbreak.”

“ Tut, ancient, thou shouldst not blame her for that,” said Launce Gooden, a tall, lank-haired soldier, with a hatchet face. “ When we besiege a garrison we must expect a sally. There is little honor in capturing a foe that makes no resistance; and wouldst thou have had the widow surrender at discretion almost before the first trenches were opened ? Had my Deborah,” here he prudently lowered his voice — “ had my Deborah been thus easy of conquest, I had not w'illingly linked hands with her in Holy Church.”

“Thou art a tall man, and a wise, Launce Gooden,” said the Ancient, patronizingly, “ But it is shrewdly whispered that with thee the order of warfare was reversed — the besieged becoming besieger ; and I have heard it said that the arguments inducing thee to submit, were of the same weighty character that broke my sconce, though, unlike thee, they failed in taking me captive.”

Launce Gooden heaved a profound sigh, and looked out at the guard-room window. At the same instant a message from Captain Trevor summoned Todkill to his presence.

A protegee of the Governor’s, Sidney Trevor, had, from his youth, enjoyed his especial favor and protection. The modesty of his deportment, joined to a natural ease and gracefulness of manner, had gained him the warm friendship of the principal inhabitants of the colony, while his untiring zeal in all matters appertaining to the profession of arms had obtained him the appointment to a post of the

CLAIBORNE THE REBEL.

utmost importance to the security of the settlers. Brave, handsome, and accomplished, there was more than one fair maiden whose heart beat more rapidly at his approach, and whose lip quivered with suppressed emotion yvhen the safety of the colony required he should go forth against the marauding Indians, or repress those more dangerous commotions which sometimes roused a portion of the less enlightened colonists to rebel against the mild rule of the Lord Proprietary.

His personal appearance we have already hinted as prepossessing in a singular degree, and it was enhanced by the picturesque costume then generally worn. His fine face was shadowed by a broad Flemish hat of light color and texture, looped in front, and fastened by a silver button. His hair was dark, and hung in curls upon his shoulders. His eyes were of that indescribable color which is neither blue, nor grey, yet partaking of both, and acquiring a greater earnestness of beauty by the union. His upper lip was shadowed by a delicately penciled moustache, while, after the fashion of that period, a short, peaked beard graced his chin, and redeemed the fairness of his countenance from the charge of effeminacy.

His dress consisted of a buff coat, richly embroidered with silver lace — the sleeves large and loose, and slashed up the front — a falling band of the richest lace, with Vandyke edging, covered his collar, and about his waist was encircled a light blue satin sash, fastened in a bow behind, so as neither to incommode the rich baldrick that was slung over the right shoulder, or the Spanish rapier, which it was intended to sustain.

Trevor welcomed the old Ancient with a cordiality that evidenced how much he appreciated his humble worth ; while on the part of Anas, the gratification he felt at the respect shown him by one to whom he was attached, was chastened, and partly subdued, beneath the rigid deportment of the soldier towards his superior officer.

The young commander was evidently affected by the perusal of the despatch presented by Anas, though he attempted to cover his perturbed feelings by addressing his companion in a half jocular manner, singularly contrasted by the closing portion of his speech. — “ So, my old friend, it ajipears from the Governor’s missive, that a portion of our colonists have thriven so wonderfully in this, their new home, that they wax haughty and plethoric, to the manifest injury of their own best interests, and the endangering of the just rights of the Lord Proprietary. How sayst thou — dost deem the art of the chirurgean necessary 1 will there be blood-letting I Pray Heaven, the patients put not our lancets to the proof, — what is thy thought 1”

The Ancient stood for a few moments gazing abstractedly upon the ground, and when he spoke, the words seemed to flow from him more in the manner of an unconscious soliloquy, than as if in reply to the question of the officer.

“ The workings of a man’s mind, like the labors of the mole, can only be known by what is thrown upon the surface ; though we are even then puzzled to ascertain whether he be penetrating deep, or whether his course be merely tortuous.

“ Captain Trevor, thou wilt pardon me when I aver that I fear the present commotion as one of greater danger than has yet befallen the colony. There are more tokens, such as 1 have seen many years ago among the settlers of Virginia, whereby nearly the whole community experienced death at the hands of the subtle salvages, or sickness and starvation through their own dismemberment; and it was only by the mercy of God, and the valor of Capt. John Smith, that the poor remnant were redeemed from their sufferings and restored to comparative security.”

“These are dark bodings,” said the young man gravely.

“ I marvel not,” replied the Ancient, “ that at thy years they are deemed so. Youth, in the strong lustihood of his own powers, fears neither the thunder cloud above his head, or the mine beneath his feet; but looks as undauntedly at the one, and treads as firmly the other, as if the cloud held no destroying lightnings in its bosom, and the earth hid not the instrument of certain annihilation — but gray hairs, sir, bring with them a clearer vision, and a soberer reflection ; and while they take nothing from the true courage of our earlier days, they so temper it with prudence, that we are enabled to avoid the evils rashness would sustain, and achieve victories where courage without forethought would suffer defeat.”

“ But,” said Trevor, falling in with the mood of the ancient, “ but the elastic power that enables youth to rise superior to misfortune, is surely equal to the cold prudence that teaches him to avoid it. The green leaves of our forest trees in early summer may be shaken, but not detached from the bough, while those of yellow autumn are scattered abroad at the first blast of the north wind.” Suddenly changing the subject, he continued, “ But you were speaking of tokens — of what kind are they 1”

“The salvages are up in arms.”

“Nay, I fear not them — a few discharges of powder and they will disperse like deer before the hunters.”

“ Thou knowest them not — thou knowest them not,” said the Ancient, earnestly. “They are not the men that first disputed our passage up the Chesapeake ; they have learned since then that an arrow sent truly home is of equal effect with the harquebuss, and they dread neither the noise or the flash as they did when I was first captived by those of the Eastern shore — besides, there be many among them who have adopted our own weapons, and though I say not that they be skilled in their use, yet the more intimate knowledge of their nature hath led them to fear them less. Wherefore, I pray thee, esteem them not unworthy foes, lest they betray thee to thine own dishonor. But they are also bolder than is their wont, which leads me to suspect they are aided and abetted by some of the disaffected from the isle of Kent — men of our own race and color; shame befal them that they should be so — yet I forbear to say I speak this of my own knowledge, lest I do injury thereby to some who may think it foul scorn to league with the heathen against their own brethren.”

“I was told you were assaulted by the Indians on your way here. Was this truel”

“A mere passing salute,” said the Ancient, good humoredly,“ though they claimed a closer acquaintance with my doublet than I hold to be altogether

CLAIBORNE THE REBEL.

consistent with fair courtesy. But, Mas ! I ha’ done the same thing in my young days, when, with a party of rude roistering blades, we have swaggered down East chepe, frightening the flat cap citizens with the show of our drawn rapiers, and making the streets echo with the war-cry of the apprentices. Ah, me I those were wild days, Capt. Trevor; and I was a gallant then that feared no more the club of an apprentice, than the kiss of a blue-eyed wench.”

Whether the officer had listened to the closing portion of Todkill’s speech has not been recorded, though it would appear as if his thoughts had been engaged on other matters, from his suddenly saying,—

“ Ancient, we must to St. Mary’s to-night.”

“ I am ready,” was the prompt response, and the garrulous old man was instantly changed into the active soldier.

“ ’M’is well ; look to the girths of the horses, and see that your arms be ready for instant service ; in a few minutes I will join you.”

Chapter II

Before proceeding any further in our narrative, it may perhaps be as well, for the better elucidation of what follows, to lay before the reader a brief statement of the affairs of the colony, previous to the period at which our tale commences.

Maryland, founded in 1633, by Sir Cecilius Calvert, from the extraordinary nature of its charter, the religious tolerance extended to all comers, and the mild and equitable regulations instituted for the purpose of securing equally the rights of the settlers and the privileges of the Lord Proprietary, presented to emigrants far greater inducements to make it their future home, than any other portion of the continent. The sway exercised by the governor was almost paternal in its character, it being his constant aim to preserve concord among the colonists, preforing to settle differences of opinion, and even grave questions, by the force of his own personal appeal to the vanity, the good sense, or the interest of the parties concerned, rather than by resorting to those vigorous measures which, however efficacious they might have been in putting an end to the difficulties, would have rendered him more feared than beloved.

Yet, while thus attentive to the welfare of those beneath him, he did not neglect to take such measures for the security of his own rights, as the expenses attendant upon the settlement of the colony, the individual labor it had cost him to mature its plans, and the liberality of the charter justified him in doing.

Under the fostering care of such a governor, Maryland soon gave promise of the prosperity she so rapidly attained; and had it not been for the ambition of one man, she might have experienced uninterrupted peace for many years, and her founder have been gathered to his fathers without having had his last days saddened by the evil doings of the factious, or the intolerance of bigots.

William Claiborne, emphatically called “The bane of the colony,” was the first man to question

I the jurisdiction of Lord Baltimore over a certain portion of Maryland, although it was evidently included in his grant.

Claiborne was a man of restless intriguing disposition, who, having received a license under the royal sign manual, to traffic with the various tribes of Indians along the coast, had taken possession of an island in the Chesapeake Bay, which he christened Kent Island, and where he refused to yield obedience to Lord Baltimore, receiving countenance and encouragement to hold out from the council of Virginia, who, with a narrow spirit, unworthy of a people speaking the same tongue, were jealous of the proximity of the new comers, alleging that the grant of the Virginia company was infringed upon by the Marylanders, and claiming Kent Island from the fact of burgesses having been sent thence to Jamestown to represent it in council, previous to the coming of Sir Cecilius Calvert.

Thus supported by the council of Virginia, whose secretary he was, Claiborne for a long time continued to dispute the right of Maryland to the island, and not only prepared to resist, by force, any attempt to take possession, but, by way of bravado, actually fitted out several boats for the purpose of cruising against the colonists, and keeping them in a constant state of agitation and alarm.

As prompt to restrair* oppression as to enforce obedience, the governor authorized Captain Cornwallis to proceed forthwith to Kent Island and put down the insurgents by force of arms, which command was fulfilled; the colonists losing only one man, while several of Claiborne’s party were killed, and the leader, one Captain John Ingle, taken prisoner, and subsequently executed. Claiborne himself escaped, but his estates were seized and forfeited, and he himself found guilty of murder, piracy, and sedition.

But, whatever might have been the evil qualities of this adventurer, his career seems to have been marked by an indomitable spirit of perseverance, and a stubborn determination to recover the property he had wilfully lost; for we shortly afterwards find him in England, where, patronized by Sir William Alexander, and sustaining his cause by a tissue of falsehoods, he so far interested the facile Charles in his behalf, as to obtain from him an order to Lord Baltimore, commanding him to reinstate Claiborne in his possessions.

'rhis, however, the former evaded doing until he had laid a full statementof the case before the Lords Commissioners, by whom, after a considerable length of time had elapsed, the right of the Proprietary to the land in question was sustained, and Claiborne cut off from any further appeal, except such as he might choose to make to the laws, for injuries committed.

From this time henceforth, Claiborne sought, by every means in his power, to bring trouble upon the colonists. Gathering around him a band of disaffected men, he kept the attention of the governor continually on the alert, and materially affected the prosperity of the settlement.

Keeping himself, however, carefully aloof from the scene of controversy, it was not always that he was even suspected to be the instigator of the feuds that would, at intervals, disturb the peace of the community. Not that he feared sharing thedortunes of

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those whom he incited to rebel — for he was naturally of a fierce and ardent temperament — but because he knew that while the head of a conspiracy remains unknown, the fears of those against whom it is aimed, will magnify the extent of the danger, from the mystery in which it is involved.

The Indians were also used in his hands as instruments of vengeance. Crafty, as well as bold, he flung himself among them, and by a seeming honest zeal for their welfare, he wrought them to believe that the Marylanders were neither of the same creed or nation as those of Virginia, — but were allied, as well in religion as in blood, to the Spaniards, of whose excesses and cruelties upon a distant portion of the continent, many years before, they retained a dim, confused, and therefore more fearful remembrance.

Another, and equally powerful agent employed by Claiborne, was the religious differences which had begun to develope themselves among the new comers. Many of these were men who, for their bigoted opinions, had been ejected from other settlements, and who now sought, under the tolerant sway of Lord Baltimore, to obtain that paramount influence which had been denied them elsewhere. Add to these, a set of loose livers, self-exiled from their native country, to whom restrictions were as curbs to unbridled appetites, and the reader can form a pretty fair estimate of the state of parties at the time of which we are writing.

Chapter III

The evening had well set in, before Trevor and his companion rode out from the palisades that surrounded the fort. Aware of the necessity of guarding against surprise, the former, in person, superintended all the preparations necessary to frustrate such a result, and it was not until he had seen his little garrison placed in such a state of defence as he deemed would enable it to resist any commoir assault, that, bidding adieu to Anthony Winters, with many injunctions as to the exercise of proper caution, and the strict performance of military duty, he sprang to his saddle, and proceeded on his journey.

For a considerable length of time, neither of the horsemen seemed disposed to break the silence, but each, busy with his own thoughts, pressed forward toward the town of St. Mary’s. The reflections of the voung officer were of a mixed character. Accustomed of late to a life of inaction, he revolved in his mind, with the eagerness natural to his years, the prospect of more active service ; while the feelings of the man, combatting those of the soldier, deprecated the miseries which a portion of the colonists must sustain, coupled with the sacrifice of human life, so inevitably consequent upon a resort to arms. Reminiscences of a softer complexion brought with them anxiety for the safety of one to whom he was attached, for he knew that others had cast wistful glances upon the lily of St. Mary’s, and, that one of them at least, would not hesitate to take advantage of any commotion, provided he could thereby work out the fulfilment of his own wishes.

The cogitations of the Ancient were less profound, and related more immediately to the present than the future. He had been industriously W'atching the threatening appearance of the heavens. 7'he evening was close and sultry, and large heavy masses of black clouds were rapidly obscuring the few stars that yet remained in the firmament — the wind that had hitherto slept, now stirred the leaves of the trees in fitful gusts, and had that fresh, damp inexplicable feeling, which invariably betokens a storm. Todkill having formed his conclusions, made no hesitation in rousing his fellow-traveler from the reverie into which he had fallen.

“I crave pardon, Captain Trevor,” said he, “but, ’an thou lovest a dry doublet better than a drenched skin, I would advise a more liberal use of the spur than we are wont to bestow upon a good horse in favorable weather. The rawness of the air, and the heavy rack flying athwart the sky, are prophets which speak as plainly and assuredly of a coming tempest, as any visible signs can foretel a future event. Now, to my mind, a cup of burnt sack, or a flagon of nut-brown ale, within the shelter of the Fort of St. Mary’s, hath a pleasanter relish than threading the gloomy forests of this heathenish land, with the rain and the wind fiercely beating upon you, and the chance of a salvage’s arm ever and anon trying the rivets of your breast-plate. I am one who, when snugly housed, likes to hear the pattering of the rain against the casement, and the whistling of the wind as it struggles through the far-ofi’ pine trees. There is a sense of comfort in being so conditioned, which enableth us to comment complacently upon what is passing without, secure from the inconveniences to which others are exposed.”

Acquiescing in the suggestions of the Ancient, Trevor increased the speed of his horse, an example promptly followed by the old soldier. The necessity of their haste became every instant more apparent. The sky presented now one perfect sheet of blackness, and large rain drops came pattering among the leaves.

Trevor almost regretted he had not remained at St. Inigoes until the morning, though less on his own account than upon that of the ancient, at whose age he feared more serious consequences might ensue than the mere inconvenience of wet garments. But Anas Todkill, whatever he might have previously said in regard to his preferences, laughed away the apprehensions of the young officer, assuring him that years had not sensibly diminished his physical powers, and that his capabilities of endurance were at least equal to those of his more juvenile fellow-traveler, a fact which he fully proved before they gained the town of St. Mary’s, as will be seen in the sequel. The broken nature of the road they traversed, and the stumps of trees which still thickly studded the way, compelled them to proceed with greater cautiousness than agreed with their anxiety to reach the point of destination ; an act of prudence to which Trevor refused to listen, until he had been repeatedly admonished by the stumbling of his steed, that a perseverance in his present rapid gait would not only endanger the limbs of the faithful quadruped, but also the life of his rider.