“I have the good fortune not to be acquainted with that whelp; but fancy we saw him, for there was a lad with the Tories whom the troopers appeared to shun. These soldiers of the king’s, cutthroats though they be, have no more love for a traitor than has an honest man, and you may set it down that so far as it is within their power, your enemy does not sleep among a bed of roses while among them.” “It makes very little difference to us, sir, how they may treat the cur; but we are eager to know if he yet remains with them, because we Minute Boys will deal with him, and not give you gentlemen the trouble of looking after such a sneak.” “We Minute Boys?” General Marion repeated questioningly. “Have you lads already such an organization?” I looked to Gabriel to make reply, which he did without hesitation: “Ay, sir, we have, although at present our force is not very formidable, for the entire company is here assembled; but if so be we see much of the surrounding country, I venture to say that before the summer is past we will succeed in gathering such a troop as will not make either you or us ashamed.” “Well said, lad!” Captain Horry cried approvingly. “It is a good plan for you youngsters to band yourselves together, and that you have already made a start toward that end should shame those who are late in coming to this rendezvous because afraid to stand manfully against the foe.” And thus it was without further argument or comment that General Marion and his officers agreed we lads might form an independent company under his command. The horses were looked after carefully at the close of this day, for although the distance from where we would cross the stream, to Britain’s Neck, was no more than five miles, we needed to cover it with speed, and perhaps the necessity of returning swiftly would be as great as that of going. Therefore generous quantities of corn were dealt out from the slender stores, and the animals groomed until they were in fine fettle for any patriot to ride. Not until the sun had set was the word to move given, and then, each leading his horse, we went down into the stream, swimming the animals across while we clung to saddle, mane, or tail, as fancy dictated. When come to the opposite side we looked well to girths and weapons, for once having arrived at our destination, there would be no time to attend to such details if General Marion worked in his usual fashion. Old Peter rode well in advance, still acting as one of the guides, and there was among us none more trusted than he, for I have little doubt but that the negro would have cheerfully yielded up his life had it been necessary to save either the general or Gabriel from harm. We rode at a sharp trot on either side of the highway where the turf served to deaden the footfalls of the horses, not drawing rein up hill or down until we were come to the elevation of which I have spoken as backing the camp of the foe.