The refugees however, were upon their guard, notwithstanding all the circumspection and speed that had been made use of by their adversaries; both of them being found mounted, as the guides came up. Travis fled at first sight of the pursuers, but Sergeant Hilliard felt such confi-dene in the superior powers of his courser, that he allowed them to approach within pistol shot before he moved. One of the guides then called out that they had something of

THE WESTCHESTER GUIDES 77 importance to communicate to him, upon which he flourished a military salute, bade them good morning, and displayed immediately to its full extend the speed of his horse. A hot pursuit instantly followed, across the fields of Fordham and Morrisania, and more appropriate grounds than these at that time were for such a chase, are rarely witnessed, divested by war, as this region had long been, of barriers and fences. Travis was soon overtaken and secured, but Sergeant Hil-liard was not long in making good the prophecy of young Corsa, for he had been followed but little more than a mile before he disappeared entirely. When the pursuers, whose horses were much blown, re-gained the road they had left, they found the reconnoitring army in full motion toward Westfarms, and were ordered to their proper places in the van. According to the order of march, the guides with a detachment of light cavalry led the way, accompanied by some young officers of the staff, both American and French. Next came the generals them-selves with their aides and retinue, and then, after a con-siderable interval, followed the main body of the army. The expedition moved forward slowly and silently, without beat of drum or sound of trumpet. The horsemen scarcely ever broke from a walk. In this manner the army marched along the Fordham road, straight to the west bank of the Bronx, directly opposite to DeLancey's Mills, at Westfarms, and then continued its movement in a southerly direction immediately along the margin of the stream.