A laudable anxiety to be active at such a time, to show to the approaching Continentals that there was a spirit in the State which they came to succor, of which the most happy auguries might be entertained, prompted his morbid impatience at the long delay of his absentees.

There were other causes which led him to feel this delay more seriously now than at other times.

The Tories were again gathering in force around him.

Under these circumstances, and with these feelings, he consulted with his officers whether they should not leave the State and join the approaching army of Greene.

Hugh Horry counselled him strenuously against it.