The dragoon
comprehended at a glance the ludicrous situation of his new comrade, but
had only time to cry aloud, before they plunged into the English line,--
"The horse knows the righteous cause better than his rider. Captain
Wharton, you are welcome to the ranks of freedom."
No time was lost, however, by Lawton, after the charge was completed, in
securing his prisoner again; and perceiving him to be hurt, he directed
him to be conveyed to the rear.
The Virginian troopers dealt out their favors, with no gentle hands, on
that part of the royal foot who were thus left in a great measure at
their mercy. Dunwoodie, observing that the remnant of the Hessians had
again ventured on the plain, led on in pursuit, and easily overtaking
their light and half-fed horses, soon destroyed the remainder of the
detachment.
In the meanwhile, great numbers of the English, taking advantage of the
smoke and confusion in the field, were enabled to get in the rear of the
body of their countrymen, which still preserved its order in a line
parallel to the wood, but which had been obliged to hold its fire, from
the fear of injuring friends as well as foes. The fugitives were
directed to form a second line within the wood itself, and under cover
of the trees. This arrangement was not yet completed, when Captain
Lawton called to a youth, who commanded the other troop left with that
part of the force which remained on the ground, and proposed charging
the unbroken line of the British.
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