But he found Barfield strongly posted, in greater force than he expected; warned of his approach and waiting for him.

It was no part of Marion's practice to expose his men unnecessarily.

He had too few, to risk the loss of any precious lives, where this was to be avoided.

He determined upon a different mode of managing his enemy, and resorted to a stratagem, which, subsequently, he frequently made use of.

Putting a select party of his men in ambush near the Blue Savannah, he feigned retreat with another, and thus beguiled his enemy from his strong position.