]

On reaching the open space near the cottage of Harvey Birch, the enemy
halted and drew up his men in line, evidently making preparations for
a charge. At this moment a column of foot appeared in the vale, and
pressed forward to the bank of the brook we have already mentioned.

Major Dunwoodie at once saw his advantage, and determined to profit by
it. The column he led began slowly to retire from the field, when the
youthful German who commanded the enemy's horse, fearful of missing an
easy conquest, gave the word to charge. The Cow-Boys sprang eagerly
forward in the pursuit; the Hessians followed more slowly, but in
better order. The trumpets of the Virginians now sounded long and
lively; they were answered by a strain from the party in ambush that
went to the hearts of their enemies. The column of Dunwoodie wheeled
in perfect order, opened, and, as the word of charge was given, the
troops of Lawton emerged from their cover, with their leader in
advance, waving his sabre over his head, and shouting in a voice that
was heard above the clamor of the martial music.

The charge threatened too much for the refugee troop. They scattered
in every direction, flying from the field as fast as their horses
could carry them. It was upon the poor vassals of the German tyrant
that the shock fell. Many of them were literally ridden down, and
Dunwoodie soon saw the field without an opposing foe.

Captain Wharton had been left in the keeping of two dragoons, one of
whom marched to and fro on the piazza with a measured tread, and the
other had been directed to continue in the same apartment with the
prisoner.

The lawn in front of the Locusts was hidden from the road by a line of
shrubbery, and the horses of the two dragoons had been left under its
shelter to await the movements of their masters.

At this moment two Cow-Boys, who had been cut off from a retreat to
their own party, rode furiously through the gate, with an intention of
escaping to the open wood in the rear of the cottage. Feeling
themselves in the privacy of the lawn, relieved from any immediate
danger, they yielded to a temptation that few of the corps were ever
known to resist--opportunity and horseflesh--and made towards their
intended prizes by an almost spontaneous movement. They were busily
engaged in separating the fastenings of the horses, when the trooper
on the piazza discharged his pistols, and rushed, sword in hand, to
the rescue.

This drew the war