He was no swimmer, and, but for timely assistance from his followers, would have been drowned.
Another story, which places him in a scarcely less ludicrous attitude, is told by Garden.** He was ordered by Marion to wait, in ambush, the approach of a British detachment.

The duty was executed with skill; the enemy was completely in his power.

But he labored under an impediment in his speech, which, we may readily suppose, was greatly increased by anxiety and excitement.

The word "fire" stuck in his throat, as "amen" did in that of Macbeth.

The emergency was pressing, but this only increased the difficulty.