body of men anxious about their families, he yielded most
generally without reluctance to their wishes. This indulgence had its
effects. Their return was certain. They seldom lingered beyond the time
at which they had pledged themselves to reappear.

It was in consequence of this indulgence that his force was thus reduced
when the British approach was known. Wemyss was in command of the 63d
regiment. He was accompanied by a large body of Tories under Major
Harrison. They moved with caution and speed, but the American General
was on the alert. He dispatched Major James with a select body of
volunteers to reconnoitre. His various outposts were called in, and
with his whole present strength, thus united, Marion followed on the
footsteps of James, prepared, if the chances promised him success, for
doing battle with his enemy.

Major James, meanwhile, who was equally bold and skilful, pressed
forward fearlessly till he became aware of the proximity of the British.
He was resolved to make sure of his intelligence. He placed himself in
a thicket on their line of march, and by a bright moon, was readily
enabled to form a very correct notion of their character and numbers.
But as the rear-guard passed by, his courageous spirit prompted further
performances. He was not content to carry to his general no other proofs
of his vigilance but the tidings which he had obtained. His perfect
knowledge of the ground, his confidence in the excellent character of
his men, and the speed of their horses, moved him to greater daring;
and, bursting from his hiding-place, with a terrible shout, he swooped
down with his small party upon the startled stragglers in the rear of
the Tory march, carrying off his prisoners in the twinkling of an eye,
without stopping to slay, and without suffering the loss of a man.
Before the enemy could rally, and turn upon his path, the tread of the
partisan's horse no longer sounded in his ears.

The intelligence which James bore to his commander was scarcely so
encouraging. He reported the British regulars to be double their own
force in number, while the Tories in the rear were alone estimated at
five hundred men. Retreat, perhaps dispersion, was now inevitable. This
was the sort of game, which, in his feebleness, and under the pressure
of a very superior foe, our partisan was compelled to play. It
was sometimes a humiliating one, and always attended with some
discouragements. The evil effects, however, were on