dim and lustreless--drops of agony
fell from his drooping front, while from his labouring and mangled sides
the mingled blood and foam poured in a thick and clotted stream.
Tarleton himself was pale as death, and as soon as he was satisfied with
his success, retired and threw himself on his couch. In a short time I
was called into his presence and delivered my despatches. Immediate
orders were issued to make preparation for a return to Hillsborough, so
soon as all the scouts had come in; and the next morning early found us
again beyond the Haw River--and in good time, too, for as the last files
were emerging from the stream, the advance of Lee's Legion appeared on
the opposite bank, and, with a shout of disappointed rage, poured a
volley into the ranks of the retreating columns.

"I have witnessed many stirring scenes," said the old man, "both during
the Revolution and since, but I never saw one half so exciting as the
strife between that savage man and savage horse."

"It was almost equal to Alexander and Buce--Buce--Alexander the Great,
and that wild horse you know he tamed when a boy--what was its name?"
said Kinnison.

"Bucephalus," said Hand.

"That's the name," said Kinnison. "Tarleton was more savage, however,
than even that conqueror."

"The same relative told me of several other instances in which Tarleton
displayed his savage and merciless nature," said Pitts. "After the fall
of Charleston, a young man named Stroud, who had taken a British
protection, resumed arms in defence of his country. Shortly after,
Tarleton captured him, and without any shadow of a trial, hung him up by
the public road, with a label attached to his back, announcing that such
should be the fate of the man who presumed to cut him down. The body was
exposed in that manner for more than three weeks, when the sister of the
young man ventured out, cut the body down and gave it decent burial. At
another time, a young man named Wade, who had been induced to join
Tarleton's Legion, deserted, to unite with his countrymen. He was taken,
tried and sentenced to receive a thousand lashes. Of course the poor
fellow died under the punishment."

"The wretch!" said Hand. "I suppose if he had fallen into the hands of
our men, they would have strung him up without mercy."

"He never would have fallen alive into the hands of our men," replied
Pitts. "Such men know that they must expect vengeance. He came near
losing his life in various battles. At C