Strange as it may seem, I am not able to tell what occurred from the time we started on that mad rush down the hill until the redcoats and Tories were fleeing in every direction. The fever of excitement had such a hold upon me that I saw nothing, heard nothing, was conscious only of the desire to strike a blow, and might have discharged my weapon once, or a dozen times without knowing it save for the fact of the bullets in my pouch, which, on being counted later, showed that I had sent but two shots into that red-coated mass which rose up only when we were nearly riding over their encampment, and then dispersed. I was aroused to distinct consciousness of the surroundings finally, when I heard Gabriel Marion shouting in my ear as if to awaken me from what can be called little less than the delirium of excitement: “It is for us to find Seth Hastings! Have you seen him yet?” I was so much ashamed at having lost myself entirely, as it were, that instead of declaring I had seen nothing save that mass of red which seemingly rose up from the earth, I simply replied in the negative to his question, and Archie Gordon, for it seems that we three lads had ridden closely together during the charge, shouted as he turned his horse around, thus forcing Gabriel and me to do the same: “He must be among those who are fleeing down the river! If there is any bottom to our horses now is the time to bring it out.” We had simply checked the speed of our steeds on coming to where half a dozen or more shelter-tents had been put up, and hardly a second was lost before we were in pursuit of the terror-stricken enemy. Then it was I noted that even in the confusion of their surprise both soldiers and Tories had striven to mount their horses, leaving behind them saddles and bridles, for there had been no time to do more than leap upon the backs of the animals and cut the ropes by which they were picketed. It was simply a question as to which side was the better mounted, whether we take prisoners or no, and there was a sense of exultation in my heart as I felt the strong stride of the horse beneath me, telling of the pace which he was setting. Now, because I am speaking of none save us three comrades, it must not be supposed that we were the only ones in pursuit of the fugitives. Considerably in advance of us I could see General Marion and Captain Horry riding side by side, while at their heels were ten or a dozen men, and as many more were behind us. Therefore we were not in good position to distinguish ourselves by making any captures, nor indeed did we hope to do so. Seth Hastings was the game we were after, and I question whether we would have turned aside to take so important a prisoner as Major Gainey, if perchance we had seen the traitorous cur who would have consigned us to the prison-ships.