see this matter to an end.”

“Our orders?” I asked.

“Damn our orders,” said he. “We’ll see this matter to an end.”

We rode hard, but already some of Tallmadge’s terror-stricken patrol were overhauling us, and the clangor of the British cavalry broke louder and louder on our ears as we came in sight of the Meeting House. Sheldon’s four score troopers heard the uproar of the coming storm, wavered, broke, and whirled their horses about into a most disorderly flight along the Stamford road. Everybody ran — there was no other choice for officers and men — and close on our heels came pelting the 17th British Dragoons, the Hussars, and Mounted Yagers of the Legion; and behind these galloped their mounted infantry.