her of Salton, and others, might have thought of this
force, their increasing number greatly raised the enthusiasm of his
followers. They felt themselves ready to undertake any adventure which
might be proposed. Stephen Battiscombe had met his brothers coming to
join the camp. Together they proceeded to the houses of such friends
and acquaintances as they knew were friendly to the cause. Some allowed
their servants and dependants to join, and others sent horses, although
they themselves thought it prudent not to appear in arms on the Duke's
side. So energetically did Stephen execute his commission that in a few
hours he returned with twenty mounted men and several spare horses. The
Duke, immediately on his appearance, appointed him lieutenant of the
troop, observing that he expected before long to be able to give him the
rank of captain.

"We shall probably before long meet the enemy, if they do not rather run
away when they see us. Notice has just been brought in that the Duke of
Albemarle is approaching with a strong body of militia, and intends to
attack this night; but I intend to forestall him, and we are about to
march out to form an ambush, so that we may set upon him suddenly should
he approach."

This news created considerable excitement among the young recruits, who
were eager to strike a blow for the cause they had espoused. As evening
approached the force marched out in silence, orders having been given
that there should be no shouting, lest they should betray their
whereabouts. The force amounted to eight hundred foot and one hundred
and fifty horse, and with it three pieces of cannon. They took up their
position at a cross road behind hedges, and in the narrow way behind
which it was supposed that the Duke of Albemarle would come, the foot
lying in the field with their arms in rank and file, the horsemen
holding their bridles in their hands. Every moment they expected to be
up and doing, but the night drew on and no enemy appeared. At length
day dawned; the men rose to their feet. They had taken their first
lesson in campaigning, and felt the better prepared for meeting the
enemy. Stephen Battiscombe had had more experience than most of his
companions during his adventures in Africa, so that the sort of work was
not quite so new to him as it was to many others. As he surveyed the
rapidly increasing army, he observed that though many of the recruits
had no fire-arms, and were compelled to co