to go, sour and sulky, with much reluctance, being hurried in his march by the point of the Tory’s sword.  Hunter pursued his course, but constantly on the look-out for some means of self-defence.  Fortunately, after they progressed a short distance, they approached a large fallen pine tree, around which lay a quantity of pine-knots, hardened and blackened by the recent action of fire.  Hunter, in an instant, saw “his opportunity,” immediately jumped to the further side of said tree, and, armed with a good pine-knot, prepared for combat.  The Tory instantly fired one of his pistols at him, but without effect.  He then leaped his horse over the tree.  Hunter, with equal promptness, exchanged sides, being fired at a second time by his would-be conqueror, but again without effect.  Much skilful maneuvering took place, whilst the Tory was thus kept at bay.  Hunter then commenced a vigorous warfare with the pine-knots so opportunely placed at his command, and dealt them out with profuse liberality.  The accurate aim of two or three pine-knots against the horseman’s head soon disabled him and brought him to the ground.  He was then disarmed of his sword, and capitulated on the following terms:  That Hunter should never make known the conquest he had gained over him, and give back the captured sword; and that he, (the Tory loyalist) would never report to headquarters that any of the prisoners had ever crossed the boundary line, or offended in any other manner.  But secrecy could not be preserved, for during the combat the horse, without his rider, galloped off to the station and created considerable anxiety respecting the horseman’s fate.  All serious apprehensions, however, were soon removed as the dismounted horseman presently made his appearance, with several visible bruises on his head, bearing striking proof of the effective precision of the pine-knots.  A close examination was soon instituted at the station, and numerous searching questions propounded to the wounded horseman, when the history of the contest had to be given, and all concealment no longer attempted.  The rencounter took place on a Friday evening.  On the Sabbath following, orders were issued by Col.  Fisher to all the prisoners to appear at the Court House on Monday by twelve o’clock.  On the evening of that Sabbath, Hunter, expecting close confinement, or, perhaps, the loss of his life, made his escape with five or six others from Mecklenburg, and commenced their way to North Carolina.

They concealed themselves by day to avoid the British scouts sent in pursuit, and traveled during the night, supporting themselves principally on the raw corn found by the way-side.  On the ninth night after they set out from Orangeburg, they crossed the Catawba and arrived safely in Mecklenburg county.