When day broke the whole column advanced with great caution, infantry in front, baggage in centre, cavalry in rear.  Where was the foe?  None appeared.  The van officer carefully examined the road for an enemy’s trail.  To his surprise and amusement, he found only the tracks of a large pack of wolves.

These animals had been attempting to pass the camp at point after point, turned from each point by the fire of the sentinels, and trying the line on all sides.  Great merriment followed, in which pickets, patrols, and the officer of the day were made the butt of the ridicule of the whole force.

We shall close with one interesting story in which Marion played the leading part, but which is distinguished by an example of womanly patriotism worthy of the highest praise.  The mansion of Mrs. Rebecca Motte, a rich widow of South Carolina, had been taken possession of by the British authorities, she being obliged to take up her residence in a farm-house on her lands.  The large mansion was converted into a fort, and surrounded by a deep ditch and a high parapet.  A garrison of one hundred and fifty men, under Captain McPherson, was stationed here, the place being re-named Fort Motte.

This stronghold was attacked, in May, 1781, by Marion and Lee, then in conjunction.  Lee took position at the farm-house, and posted his men on the declivity of the plain on which the fort stood.  Marion cast up a mound, placed on it the six-pounder they had brought with them, and prepared to assail the parapet while Lee made his approaches.  McPherson had no artillery.

Their approaches were made by a trench from an adjacent ravine.  In a few days they were near enough to be justified in demanding a surrender.  McPherson refused.  The same evening word reached the Americans that Lord Rawdon was approaching.  On the following night the light of his camp-fires could be seen on the neighboring hills of the Santee.  The garrison saw them as well as the assailants, and were filled with renewed hope.

What was to be done?  The besiegers must succeed quickly or retreat.  Lee was not long in devising an expedient.  The mansion of Mrs. Motte was shingled and the shingles very dry.  There had been no rain for several days, and the sun had poured its rays warmly upon them.  They might be set on fire.  Lee suggested this to Mrs. Motte, with much dread as to how she would receive it.  Her acquiescence was so cheerful that his mind was relieved.  The patriotic woman expressed herself as ready to make any sacrifice for her country.

Lee told his plan to Marion, who warmly approved it.  It was proposed to do the work by means of arrows carrying flaming combustibles.  As it proved, however, the only bows and arrows they could find in the camp were very inferior articles.

“They will never do,” said Mrs. Motte.  “I can provide you with much better.  I have in the house an excellent bow and a bundle of arrows, which came from the East Indies.  They are at your service.”