saw "his opportunity," immediately jumped to
the further side of said tree, and, armed with a good pine-knot,
prepared for combat. The Tory instantly fired one of his pistols at
him, but without effect. He then leaped his horse over the tree.
Hunter, with equal promptness, exchanged sides, being fired at a
second time by his would-be conqueror, but again without effect. Much
skilful maneuvering took place, whilst the Tory was thus kept at bay.
Hunter then commenced a vigorous warfare with the pine-knots so
opportunely placed at his command, and dealt them out with profuse
liberality. The accurate aim of two or three pine-knots against the
horseman's head soon disabled him and brought him to the ground. He
was then disarmed of his sword, and capitulated on the following
terms: That Hunter should never make known the conquest he had gained
over him, and give back the captured sword; and that he, (the Tory
loyalist) would never report to headquarters that any of the prisoners
had ever crossed the boundary line, or offended in any other manner.
But secrecy could not be preserved, for during the combat the horse,
without his rider, galloped off to the station and created
considerable anxiety respecting the horseman's fate. All serious
apprehensions, however, were soon removed as the dismounted horseman
presently made his appearance, with several visible bruises on his
head, bearing striking proof of the effective precision of the
pine-knots. A close examination was soon instituted at the station,
and numerous searching questions propounded to the wounded horseman,
when the history of the contest had to be given, and all concealment
no longer attempted. The rencounter took place on a Friday evening. On
the Sabbath following, orders were issued by Col. Fisher to all the
prisoners to appear at the Court House on Monday by twelve o'clock. On
the evening of that Sabbath, Hunter, expecting close confinement, or,
perhaps, the loss of his life, made his escape with five or six others
from Mecklenburg, and commenced their way to North Carolina.

They concealed themselves by day to avoid the British scouts sent in
pursuit, and traveled during the night, supporting themselves
principally on the _raw corn_ found by the way-side. On the ninth
night after they set out from Orangeburg, they crossed the Catawba and
arrived safely in Mecklenburg county.

After remaining a few days at his mother's residence, he again entered
the service, an