His purpose seems to have been, discovering the temper of the offender, to gain the necessary time.

His officers, meanwhile, were gathering around him.

He was making his preparations for a struggle, which might be bloody, which might, indeed, involve not only the safety of his brigade, but his own future usefulness.

Horry, however, with proper spirit, entreated not to be sent again to the offender, giving, as a reason for his reluctance, that, in consequence of the previous rudeness of the other, he was not in the mood to tolerate a repetition of the indignity, and might, if irritated, be provoked to violence.

Marion then dispatched his orderly to the guilty major, with a request, civilly worded, that he might see him at head quarters.