With the Swamp Fox

ncounter, and, perchance, had there been opportunity for us to cons

s no opportunity for fear; the fever of excitement was upon us; the odor of burned powd

Tory rushed toward me wi

in shooting, with intent to kill, at the enemies of our country, and above all,

with a certain curiosity to see how he might e

good fortune to come upon him. Then suddenly, when my musket w

ould not hope to be successful in such an encounter, and then the ma

, thus saving my life, and I heard him, as

arge of pow

nt as one of our squad-emerged from that tangle of men, and found ourselves in pursuit of the fleeing, panic-stricken enemy. I remember clearly that one moment it was as if we were entirely surrounde

our horses, lads, and we shall soon clear Williamsburg district o

at stake, because our uncle should suggest that we might take any part in wiping out the "vipe

ouzon's steeds were capable, eager to gain the advance if that might b

n certain death awaited me at the end of that mad chase, I would have spurred my horse on yet faster, exulting

why it was that the sound of his own voice seemed necessary-it was but the natural vent of the excitement that had taken hold of

, and with this transformation came i

d the next we were alone, riding down into that mass of fleeing Tories who outnumbe

ed the movement, although for thirty seconds or more had I known we we

into sore danger-for now we were well upon the heels of the enemy;-but he looked at me

stant I answered his inquiring look with

us, Major, and mo

e confidence in our courage than almost anything else could have done, and an expression, whi

er and shouting at the full strength of his lungs as if he had a thousan

han to two lads who were practically weaponless, for their panic increased, if that cou

e force, and that officer himself was nigh to being taken prisoner when my uncle, spurring his horse

tely refused the challenge, and instead of halting to meet the foe as he would have done had his ca

cle cried, brandishing his saber in impotent rage; "but that a Gainey wo

the enemy we pursued so hotly an

were, to have allowed us to come into their midst, and then, closing, take

e of individual safety, and during ten minutes or more we rode upon the heels of that retrea

l which it was possible for them to do, and then that sensation would pass away while rage took p

to the edge of Pedee Swamp, and, by his gesture rather

and should we still press upon them they must, even like rats, turn

e was just, and it would have been folly to cont

ar faster than we came, for now was there fear some of the cowardly foe might shoot us

in advance, and by reining in his

r with the most intense pride and satisfacti

e brave men in the Carolinas, leaning forward in the saddle held out his hands, one to each of u

expected to see two boys ride at their kinsman's call straight into what seemed certain danger. I am proud indeed that you were eager to s

ed our hearts to overflowing; but my uncle, taking off his hat with more

such words to members of my family, he

igation, Major, when the prai

of ammunition. After the first rush they followed bravely, although virtually weaponless, and I am

rce escaped?" th

o continue the retreat. They are in Pedee Swamp where it wou

cy and I to ride by his side, and together we retur

the Tory force, while our loss amounted to only two wounded, and it was safe to say that m

sion of the Tory camp where were provisions in abundance, and during an hour we feasted,

me-and we were eager to tell our mother of the proud distinction we had won-wo

f the thicket where the commander was seated under a live oak tree with his officers clustered about him, and I a

equired to bear so many hardships or encounter so many dangers, as those who would throw off his majesty's yoke. Therefore it was that when an officer like General Marion selected two from

contrived to salute the general in something approaching military fashion, and

et out on a venture which

okesman, and I replied more readily than perhaps was co

say this last not in a boasting manner, but to show you, sir, that we are right

that you might have an opportunity to draw back honorably, if it so be you shrank in any degree from th

" I said, and Percy laid his hand in mine that

d strong. Our purpose is to advance upon him immediately; but having learned that there is a possibility his men may far exceed ours in numbers, it is necessary we have

might join in the march, and perhaps he will allow us to use them in

lad that the Mouzon stables can furnish mounts fo

eneral. "The horses have already been cared for, and

brigade will set out at a slow pace in the direction of Dubose Ferry, and I hope you may be able to meet us several miles this side of the encampment. We shall ride so nearly as may be in a straight line,

and Percy and I, understanding that we were dismissed, would have moved awa

, and his manner of doing it told me, had such information been n

ed, and then we, turning on our heels, s

; but I was not minded to indulge in conversation just at th

we grow faint-hearted because of the perils. To have spoken with any one regarding the service, would have be

therspoon, whom I had not seen since the attack, came up hur

n our good fortune to follow Major James in pursuit of a lo

hat we speak with old or new friends when we fail to meet them. Since you dropped the fish so hurriedly, we

you high and low since

d man's anger was comical rather than serious. "We unsaddled our horses in this spot, and have remained unt

inding, and we have little time to

the bridle of my horse as if fearing I was about to r

quickly. "It is enough that we are

himself guilty of some serious crime. "You would slip away from the old man, believing y

time at our disposal, I was fretted by what seemed to me no more than folly. "We have been entrusted with

ntil I can have speech with General Ma

leaping into the saddle, and as he did so th

go that when you two lads were minded to turn soldiers I would keep an eye upon you,

browbeat him into loosing his hold of the bridle, and was not minded to

n speak with either officer you name; but remember,

ou in the wa

ost sight of the fact that we were virtually unarmed, and n

ile you are gone in search of the general, I will set about procurin

ip away from him, and hurried off toward the other end of the encampment,

more successful than

rred themselves to see that we were outfitted properly, and soon our

forty balls, and a couple of pistols; more

et this time was sufficient for Gavin to make his preparations to accompany us

in surprise, for it had not seemed to me probable

side with you, and perhaps somewhat in advance. I'm n

imself, and the old man, without so much as turning his head,

h you will neither increase nor lessen the danger, because that is impossible. It may be, however, that I can give a word of advice which will prevent you

t hearted lad, the old man wheeled his horse about and rode in the direction of