prepared with alacrity to perform his duty in the impending trial. [Pg 35] [Pg 35] CHAPTER VII. DUNWOODIE’S TRAP AND THE RECAPTURE OF CAPTAIN WHARTON. During this conversation, which was held at a small distance in advance of the British column, and in full view of the Americans, Dunwoodie had been collecting his scattered troops, securing his few prisoners, and retiring to the ground where he had been posted at the first appearance of his enemy. Captain Lawton suddenly exclaimed: “How’s this! a blue coat among those scarlet gentry? As I hope to live to see old Virginia, it is my masquerading friend of the 60th, the handsome Captain Wharton, escaping from two of my best men!” He had not done speaking when the survivor of these heroes joined his troop, bringing with him his own horse and those of the Cow-Boys; he reported the death of his comrade, and the escape of his prisoner. This intelligence made an entire change in the views of Major Dunwoodie. He saw at once that his own reputation was involved in the escape of the prisoner, and he now joined with Lawton, watching for an opening to assail his foe to advantage. “There,” cried the delighted captain, as he pointed out the movement of Wellmere crossing the brook into the open plain; “there comes John Bull into the mousetrap, and with his eyes wide open.” “Surely,” said Dunwoodie, eagerly, “he will not display his column on that flat. Wharton must tell him of the ambush. But if he does——” does——” “We will not leave him a dozen sound skins in his battalion,” interrupted the other, springing into his saddle. The truth was soon apparent; for the English column, after advancing for a short distance on the level land, displayed [Pg 36]with an accuracy that would have done them honor on a field-day in their own Hyde Park.[56] [Pg 36]
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