If they stopped to load their muskets, I should get clean away.

If, as I expected, they would not stop for that, they would not have a chance with me, carrying their muskets and cartridge boxes and belts.

I had taken off my coatee and boots, while I was waiting for the start, and went up the hill like a deer.
"I did not look round, till I got to the top.

Then I found that I had gained a hundred yards of them.

I doubled down a lane, at once, and then struck through some orchards; and ran, without stopping, maybe a couple of miles.
"I never heard any more of the soldiers, and knew that, for the present, I was safe, though maybe they would send some dragoons to scour the country when the news came in.