.

ADVANCE OF ARMY UP JAMES RIVER.--I COMMAND A FLOTILLA OF BOATS UP
NANSIMOND RIVER.--A DARK NIGHT.--SURROUND A HOUSE.--INTERVIEW WITH
MADELINE.--WARNED OF PLAN TO CAPTURE US.--O'DRISCOLL AT HOME.--RAPID
PULL FOR LIBERTY.--MACKEY'S MILLS.--PEOPLE WIDE-AWAKE.--HOT FIRE.--
REGAIN SHIP.

The new year of 1781 commenced with the advance of the whole army, under
General Arnold, up the banks of the James river, protected by three
ships of war--the Charlestown, Bonetta, and Swift. No attack was made
on us; indeed, there was no force of the enemy, it was believed, in the
neighbourhood in any way capable of impeding our progress. That evening
I was again sent for, and, in order to ascertain that important fact, I
was directed to take command of five boats and to proceed up the
Nansimond river. "You will learn, also, what shipping is in the river,"
said my captain; "and, Mr Hurry, you will not forget to see how they
can best be cut out." Having received this brief professional
admonition, I took my departure.

I had the Charon's cutter, the Thames's long-boat, and three other
boats, each commanded by a lieutenant or master's mate. I gave them
all, in the clearest way, their instructions, for I felt that we were
about to engage in an expedition which might prove extremely hazardous,
though but little honour was to be reaped from it. The Nansimond river
is about twenty-five miles long, and generally about half a mile wide;
but in some places, as high up as the west branch, it narrows to about
fifty yards. Not far from the entrance is the town of Nansimond, and
higher up a place called Mackey's Mills. Nearly at the source is a town
or village called Suffolk. This information I had obtained from the
prisoners we had taken on our previous expedition.

Darkness had long settled down before my five boats collected alongside
the Charon. Never was I out in a more pitchy night. Dense clouds
covered the sky, and not a star was visible. On first stepping into my
boat, after leaving the light of the cabin, I could see nothing.

"You all understand what we are to do, gentlemen?" said I to the
officers under me. "Follow closely in my wake. Let not a word be
spoken. If we are discovered and attacked, we are to put about and pull
down the stream; if not, wait till I give the order to return. Shove
off!"

Our oars were muffled, so that not a sound was heard as we pulled away
through the darkness towards the mouth of the Nans