With some reluctance this man consented to pilot them toward their point of attack, but advised silence as they were approaching an out-guard, and then informed them that colonel de Lancey was in New York. The cap-ture of this officer had been the main object of the enterprise, and Armand as he groped his way onward, was balancing in his mind the propriety of giving over his attempt, when an incident occurred which led instantly to that decision.

MARQUIS DE LA ROUËRIE 25

They came all at once upon a sentinel who hailed, and in a moment after fired and ran. Presently other shots followed and drums beat to arms. The commander instantly ordered his men to wheel about, and under the guide that fortune had sent them, they retreated at speed to Fordham village. Here the legionary colonel drew up his men upon a ridge, and find-ing from the prevailing silence that at least he was not very closely pursued, he advanced to the dwelling of Isaac Corsa who resided where St. John's college now stands, and was one of Bearmore's captains of infantry, and made prisoners of this officer and two of his men. The captain's son had seen the legion-horse as they were forming upon the ridge and gave the information to his father, who after looking at them attentively said they were Emmerick's dragoons. Colonel Armand then retired in safety with his prisoners. In 1780, Armand received orders to join the southern army, previously to which the legion had been incorporated with the remains of Pulaski's corps, including the independent troop of captain Bedkin. It was about the middle of July when the French colonel joined the forces under major-general, the Baron de Kalb, at the encampment at Deep river in North Carolina, a few days before general Gates arrived and took the command.