James galloped on crying out: "Clear the way, boys!" At first he was taken for a British officer, but a mo- -ment afterwards the commander of the guard exclaimed: "It's a rebel officer! - Kill him!" He received three or four bayonet wounds in the hip but got over. He subsequently abandoned his horse, and got along as well as he could on foot. As he was groping his way in total darkness on his hands and knees, he put his hand upon something warm and found it was a man's face. - "Who are you?" exclaimed General James. "What are you doing here?" "Oh, my God, master! Spare my life, I beg you - I am Ephraim Dubois, a black man!"
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"What! Colonel Dubois's slave? - Why, Ephraim, don't you know me? I am General James Clinton, and am very badly wounded. I want you to assist me in getting to a place of security where I can have my wounds dressed." With Ephraim's assistance he crossed the moun- -tains and at length entered an open field where they found an old white horse which Ephraim secured, and upon which Genl. James rode till they reached a habitation in a peace of safety. When Governor Clinton found that no reinforcements were coming, and that both forts were invested, he was for surrendering, deeming it impracticable with his small force to make a success- -ful defence. General James was of a contrary opinion, and it was owing to his opinion warmly expressed that resistance was made."