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.