SPORTSMEN, FARMERS, &C. 125 



field between us and the mill ; not so much 

 as a single bush on it. Our orderly-bugle 

 stood behind us, about three yards, but with 

 his horse's side to our horses' tails. A rifle- 

 man passed over the mill-dam, evidently 

 observing two officers, and laid himself 

 down on his belly ; for, in such positions, 

 they always lie, to take a good shot at a 

 long distance. He took a deliberate and 

 cool shot at my friend, at me, and the 

 bugle-horn man.* Now, observe how w ell 

 this fellow shot. It was in the month of 

 August, and not a breath of wind was 

 stirring. Colonel Tarleton's hoyse and mine, 

 I am certain, were not anything like two feet 

 apart ; for we were in close consultation, 

 how we should attack with our troops, 

 which laid '300 yards in the wood, and 

 could not be perceived by the enemy. A 

 rifle-ball passed between him and me : 

 looking directly to the mill, I evidently 



* I have passed several times over this ground, and 

 ever observed it with the greatest attention ; and I can 

 positively assert that the distance he fired from, at us^ 

 was full four hundred yards. 



