“Let every man follow this force!” General Marion shouted, raising his voice to the full strength of his lungs in order to make himself heard by all, for many of the prisoners were very nearly in the same state of bewilderment as were those whom we had driven out of camp. But he understood that some reason must be given, else would those so lately released refuse to obey. “The British will not go far before their officers are able to bring them into something approaching order, and then may we expect an attack. If you would save yourselves now that we have freed you, obey without questioning whatsoever commands may be given!” He halted no longer than was necessary for those who had been driven down from Camden like sheep, to understand what he said, and then, urging our horses at their best pace, we rode back over the road just traversed. “And now, what?” Jacob Breen asked of me in an angry tone. “Is this how General Marion fights, by running away when he has the upper hand of the enemy?” “It is not for us to question what he may or may not do,” I said with considerable of sharpness in my tone. “When a man has led such a handful as followed him half an hour ago to the victory which we have just won over so large a force, his courage cannot be questioned.” All this I said as if in my mind everything had been done as it should be, and yet I was sore even as Jacob showed himself to be, because of what looked like nothing more or less than a shameful retreat. Gabriel rode by my side moodily, while Archie Gordon did not venture to make any comments upon our last success, thereby showing me these two also were disturbed in mind. Our horses had been jaded some time before we overrode the British camp, and now that we were retracing our steps it was with difficulty they could be forced forward at anything like a decent rate of speed, while the prisoners, whose steeds were comparatively fresh, would have pressed on in advance but that Captain Horry and General Marion forced them to remain in line, threatening to shoot the first who should make any attempt at gaining the lead. In this sorry fashion we travelled perhaps five miles, and then we were come to what seemed an advantageous position in the event of being attacked, whereupon word was given to halt and make preparation for defence. When the horses had been picketed amid the timber of a small hill, one side of which formed a bluff on the bank of the creek, and those whom we released from captivity had fraternized with our men, General Marion ordered them into line, coupling such command with orders to his own force to round the strangers up into shape if they were not inclined to obey.