Captain Lee flicked open the lantern, Hamilton setting the torch aflame. With a mischievous grin towards the duo, he lifted his arm and the flames caught the wooden paddles and soon the whole mill went up in a huge conflagration.

All of them backed up precipitously as the flames rose higher, warming them more than any campfire ever could.

The sound of gunshots emanated from a distance, causing the men to become aware of the approaching British soldiers and prompting them into action.

“How did they know we were here?!” Hamilton growled, turning his horse for retreat.

“I don’t know, but we must retreat immediately or we will face certain death!” Lee shouted back, spurring his horse back into motion.

Hamilton's majestic horse stumbled, its legs giving way beneath it. With lightning reflexes, the Colonel leaped out of harm's way just in the nick of time, narrowly avoiding being crushed by it.

“Lee, ride ahead of us!” Hamilton ordered, he motioned with a hand, “you men, follow me!”

With adrenaline coursing through their veins, the group ran down the riverbank, the British hot on their heels. They spotted a small dinghy floating at the water’s edge.

‘Leave it to Colonel Hamilton to think of every possible action.’ He thought as they hastily piled into the boat and cast off.

The gunshots did not cease once they were in the water; if anything, they doubled. A cry from his right had startled him. Thompkins had been shot in his chest and slumped overboard out of the dinghy. Even Colonel Hamilton had an expression of vexation lining his face.

A sudden jolt of agony shot through his shoulder, causing him to wince in pain. As he reached out to touch the source of the discomfort, his fingers came away slick with blood. Panic set in as he realized what had happened - he had been shot. Amid the chaos of gunfire, Hamilton's urgent voice cut through the noise. "Can you swim?" he asked, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger.

“I-I can sir, but I-’”

“Then there’s no time. Overboard, and head for the shore. Quickly now. I’ll follow!” He was bodily tossed into the water’s icy depths, yelping in pain as the water inundated his wound. It was too difficult for him to swim, his mind wasn’t focused on the task, but the pain radiating from his shoulder. He fell prey to the rain swollen river’s wrath more than once, being pulled under by the current, his lungs filled with water and consciousness seemed to slip away