Such an invitation was not to be neglected.

Marion well knew its importance, and at once accepted the commission conferred upon him by Governor Rutledge.
He took leave of Gates accordingly, having received, as is reported, certain instructions from that unhappy commander, to employ his men in the destruction of all the scows, boats, ferry-flats and barges on the route, by which the enemy might make his escape.

The fancy of the American General already beheld the army of Lord Cornwallis in full flight.

His great solicitude seems to have been how to secure his captives.

He had, strangely enough for a military man, never taken counsel of the farm-yard proverb, which we need not here repeat for the benefit of the reader.* With the departure of Marion, his better genius left him,--the only man, who, in command of the militia, might have saved him from destruction.