On such occasions the party swam their horses, Marion himself leading the way, though he himself was unable to swim.

He rode a famous horse called Ball, which he had taken from a loyalist captain of that name.

This animal was a sorrel, of high, generous blood, and took the water as if born to it.
The horses of the brigade soon learned to follow him as naturally as their riders followed his master.

There was no waiting for pontoons and boats.

Had there been there would have been no surprises.
The secrecy with which Marion conducted his expeditions was, perhaps, one of the reasons for their frequent success.