326 The Winning of the West 



proclamation, of which copies were scattered broad- 

 cast among the loyalists. It was instinct with the 

 fiery energy of the writer, and well suited to goad 

 into action the rough tories, and the doubtful men, 

 to whom it was addressed. He told them that the 

 Back Water men had crossed the mountains, with 

 chieftains at their head who would surely grant 

 mercy to none who had been loyal to the king. He 

 called on them to grasp their arms on the moment 

 and run to his standard, if they desired to live and 

 bear the name of men ; to rally without delay, unless 

 they wished to be eaten up by the incoming horde of 

 cruel barbarians, to be themselves robbed and mur- 

 dered, and to see their daughters and wives abused 

 by the dregs of mankind. In ending, he told them 

 scornfully that if they chose to be spat 39 upon and 

 degraded forever by a set of mongrels, to say so at 

 once, that their women might turn their backs on 

 them and look out- for real men to protect them 



Hoping to be joined by Cruger's regiments, as 

 well as by his own furloughed men, and the neigh- 

 boring tories, he gradually drew off from the moun- 

 tains, doubling and turning, so as to hide his route 

 and puzzle his pursuers. Exaggerated reports of 

 the increase in the number of his foes were brought 

 to him, and, as he saw how slowly they marched, 

 he sent repeated messages to Cornwallis, asking for 

 reinforcements; promising speedily to "finish the 

 business," if three or four hundred soldiers, part 

 dragoons, were given him, for the Americans were 



39 The word actually used was still stronger. 



