However, and perhaps fortunately for me, we were not kept long in suspense. Before the remainder of General Marion’s following were well prepared for that which was to come, the thunder of horses’ hoofs could be heard near at hand, and by the noise I judged that a large force--perhaps an entire battalion--was approaching within range. As we afterward learned, this was a portion of Wemyss’s command, which had been scouring the country to the northward, and were thus come upon us through being on their way to rejoin the commander at Georgetown. It was as if we no sooner heard the hoof-beats than the entire line of red came out from amid the foliage, the men riding four abreast, and deploying into line immediately after leaving the shelter of the trees. At the right and at the left of us Minute Boys were our people drawn up under such cover as could be had, and therefore it was that we lads stood in the centre of the line where most like the hardest part of the fighting would come. On understanding this, Gabriel said in a low, sharp tone as he walked to and fro in front of us, evidently striving to repress his excitement: “Now is the time, lads, when we may show whether we are worthy to be called soldiers. It is for us to do a little more than our duty, because as yet we are untried. Therefore let each look well to himself, for when this action is come to an end we shall be counted as able to stand shoulder to shoulder with our elders, or be pronounced striplings not worthy to bear arms in the Cause.” I know not whether these words gave more heart to my comrades, but certain it is that at the time I hardly knew what he said, so intent was I in gazing upon that crimson stream which continued to pour out from among the green leaves as if it would never come to an end. While I was wondering how many of us would fall at the first volley, the word to open fire was passed along the line, and in a twinkling the smoke enveloped us like a cloud from amid which could be seen tiny jets of flame as those men, more slow to obey the command than their comrades, discharged here and there a musket. In less than thirty seconds it was impossible for us to take aim because we could no longer see the enemy, and then came that intoxication which I have ever felt when assailed by fumes of gunpowder. It was afterward told me that we did not stand there in line more than five minutes, but I could have sworn that at least half an hour passed from the time the command to fire was given, until the troopers who were on the left of us rushed forward from the shelter of the building like a swarm of angry hornets, the word being passed along the line for us to cease firing lest we shoot our own friends. More than one of our company of Minute Boys would have broken line in order to follow those who were charging upon the enemy, but Gabriel held them in place by saying: