rld, their science would have availed them nothing through the
pitchy darkness which happily enveloped us.

At length I fancied that I could distinguish the stream widening away
before us, and, judging from the flashes of the fire-arms, the banks
were much farther apart than before. I was not mistaken. With a
satisfaction I can scarcely express I saw that all our boats had come
through, but still the enemy kept up a hot fire astern of us into empty
space, evidently not knowing where we were. My men seemed inclined to
shout when they found themselves in the wide reach of the river, but I
restrained them, not knowing what enemies might be lurking about near us
on the water. Then we continued pulling steadily on, till here and
there I saw a light gleaming on the shore, which I calculated must come
from the town of Nansimond. If a flotilla of boats were on the watch
for us, I thought that we should probably here encounter them--not that
I any longer despaired of escaping from them, even should they attack
us. I had directed the officers not to attempt to retaliate unless
actually boarded, but to employ all their energies in making their
escape. This was, of course, the wisest policy.

On we went. The town was passed. No boats appeared. We were
approaching the mouth of the river. Daylight was now breaking. I was
only too thankful that we had not delayed till then to make our way down
the river. Either we should all have been taken prisoners, or few if
any of us would have survived the murderous fire to which we should have
been exposed. At length we emerged from the river and finally arrived
on board the Charon at about ten in the morning with only two people
wounded, though the upper works of our boats were riddled like sieves.

Thus ended an expedition fraught with so much personal interest to me.
We all also gained credit for our exploit. We had completely performed
the duty for which we had been sent, having made ourselves thoroughly
acquainted with the river, and ascertained that it would be impossible
to cut out the vessels which had run up to Suffolk unless a very strong
force, if not the whole army, was to proceed up for that purpose. More
and more as I thought over what had occurred did I pray that the war
might soon cease, and that, if Englishmen must be fighting, they might
not be called on to cross their swords with their relatives and friends.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

SENT TO HAMPTON WITH F