Cornbury replied that he had instructions to make a night attack on some troops which the Prince of Orange had posted at Honiton.

But suspicion was awake.

Searching questions were put, and were evasively answered.

At last Cornbury was pressed to produce his orders.

He perceived, not only that it would be impossible for him to carry over all the three regiments, as he had hoped, but that he was himself in a situation of considerable peril.