encountered a picquet of the
enemy, which, after a few shots, retired hastily up the mountain.

The little outpost had scarcely begun to give ground, before the leading
companies of the Whigs had their attention drawn to the movements of a
small party of horsemen who at that moment appeared in sight upon the
road, some distance in advance. They were approaching the American
column; and, as if taken by surprise at the appearance of this force,
set spurs to their horses and made an effort to ride beyond the reach of
Cleveland's fire, whilst they took a direction up the mountain towards
Ferguson's stronghold. From the equipment of these individuals, it might
have been inferred that they were two gentlemen of some distinction
connected with the royal army, attended by their servants, and now about
arriving, after a long journey, at the British camp. The first was
habited in the uniform of an officer, was well mounted, and displayed a
light and active figure, which appeared to advantage in the dexterous
management of his horse. The second was a gentleman in a plain riding
costume, of slender and well-knit proportions, and manifestly older than
his companion. He rode a powerful and spirited horse, with a confidence
and command not inferior to those of his associates. The others in
attendance, from their position in the rear, and from the heavy
portmanteaus that encumbered their saddles, we might have no difficulty
in conjecturing to be menials in the service of the two first.

The course taken by this party brought them obliquely across the range
of the fire of the Whigs.

"It is a general officer and his aide," exclaimed one of the subalterns
in the advance. "Ho there! Stand. You are my prisoners!"

"Spur, spur, and away! For God's sake, fly!" shouted the younger of the
two horsemen to his companion, as he dashed the rowels into his steed
and fled up the mountain. "Push for the top--one moment more and we are
out of reach!"

"Stop them, at all hazards!" vociferated Cleveland, the instant his eye
fell upon them. "Quick, lads--level your pieces--they are messengers
from Cornwallis. Rein up, or I fire!" he called aloud after the flying
cavalcade.

The appeal and the threat were unheeded. A score of men left the ranks
and ran some distance up the mountain side, and their shots whistled
through the forest after the fugitives. One of the attendants was seen
to fall, and his horse to wheel round and run back, with a frighten