circumference.

"Around this, after getting him under way, he continued to urge his
furious steed, amid the raptures and shouts of the admiring soldiery,
plying the whip and spur at every leap, until wearied and worn down with
its prodigious efforts, the tired creature discontinued all exertion,
save that to which it was urged by its merciless rider.

[Illustration: TARLETON BREAKING THE HORSE.]

"At length, exhausted from the conflict, Tarleton drew up before his
tent and threw himself from his saddle. The horse was completely
subdued, and at the word of command followed him like a dog. The victory
was complete. His eye of fire was dim and lustreless--drops of agony
fell from his drooping front, while from his labouring and mangled sides
the mingled blood and foam poured in a thick and clotted stream.
Tarleton himself was pale as death, and as soon as he was satisfied with
his success, retired and threw himself on his couch. In a short time I
was called into his presence and delivered my despatches. Immediate
orders were issued to make preparation for a return to Hillsborough, so
soon as all the scouts had come in; and the next morning early found us
again beyond the Haw River--and in good time, too, for as the last files
were emerging from the stream, the advance of Lee's Legion appeared on
the opposite bank, and, with a shout of disappointed rage, poured a
volley into the ranks of the retreating columns.

"I have witnessed many stirring scenes," said the old man, "both during
the Revolution and since, but I never saw one half so exciting as the
strife between that savage man and savage horse."