[The Life of Francis Marion by William Gilmore Simms]@TWC D-Link bookThe Life of Francis Marion CHAPTER 7 29/49
He must conjecture for himself the casual warning brought to the silent thicket, by the devoted friend, the constant woman, or the humble slave; the midnight bay of the watch dog or the whistle of the scout; or the sudden shot, from friend or foe, by which the fugitive is counselled to hurry to his den.
A thousand events arise to the imagination as likely to have occurred to our partisan, in his hours of feebleness and danger, from the rapid cavalry of Tarleton, or the close and keen pursuit of the revengeful Tories.
To what slight circumstances has he been indebted for his frequent escape! What humble agents have been commissioned by Providence to save a life, that was destined to be so precious to his country's liberties! How long he remained in this situation is not exactly known,--probably several months.
As soon as he was able to mount his horse, he collected a few friends, and set out for North Carolina.
A Continental force was on its way from Virginia under Baron De Kalb.
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