kees within the reach of our muskets.
Captain Wharton, I claim your assistance as an aide-de-camp."

The youth shook his head in disapprobation of a movement which his
good sense taught him was rash, but prepared with alacrity to perform
his duty in the impending trial.

CHAPTER VII.

DUNWOODIE'S TRAP AND THE RECAPTURE OF CAPTAIN
WHARTON.

During this conversation, which was held at a small distance in
advance of the British column, and in full view of the Americans,
Dunwoodie had been collecting his scattered troops, securing his few
prisoners, and retiring to the ground where he had been posted at the
first appearance of his enemy.

Captain Lawton suddenly exclaimed: "How's this! a blue coat among
those scarlet gentry? As I hope to live to see old Virginia, it is my
masquerading friend of the 60th, the handsome Captain Wharton,
escaping from two of my best men!"

He had not done speaking when the survivor of these heroes joined his
troop, bringing with him his own horse and those of the Cow-Boys; he
reported the death of his comrade, and the escape of his prisoner.

This intelligence made an entire change in the views of Major
Dunwoodie. He saw at once that his own reputation was involved in the
escape of the prisoner, and he now joined with Lawton, watching for an
opening to assail his foe to advantage.

"There," cried the delighted captain, as he pointed out the movement
of Wellmere crossing the brook into the open plain; "there comes John
Bull into the mousetrap, and with his eyes wide open."

"Surely," said Dunwoodie, eagerly, "he will not display his column on
that flat. Wharton must tell him of the ambush. But if he does----"

"We will not leave him a dozen sound skins in his battalion,"
interrupted the other, springing into his saddle.

The truth was soon apparent; for the English column, after advancing
for a short distance on the level land, displayed with an accuracy
that would have done them honor on a field-day in their own Hyde
Park.[56]

[Footnote 56: a noted park in London.]

"Prepare to mount--mount!" cried Dunwoodie.

As the British line advanced slowly and in exact order, the guides
opened a galling fire. It began to annoy that part of the royal troops
which was nearest to them. Wellmere listened to the advice of the
veteran who was next to him in rank, and ordered two companies to
dislodge the American foot from their hiding-place. The movement
created a slight conf