I hoped it would not miscarry, for I would have preferred a messenger; but after all the Border line was his concern.
Then I spoke aside to Shalah.

In his view the Cherokees would not attack at dawn.

They were more likely to wait till their supports overtook them, and then, to make a dash for the Rappahannock farms.
Plunder was more in the line of these gentry than honest fighting.

I spoke to the leader of the post, and he was for falling upon them in the narrows of the Rapidan.

Their victory over the Meebaws had fired the blood of the Borderers, and made them contemptuous of the enemy.
Still, in such a predicament, when we had to hold a frontier with a handful, the boldest course was likely to be the safest.