He was equally remarkable for his strategy as for his bravery;
and his nobleness and generosity were, quite as much as these,
the distinguishing traits of his character. Such was the confidence
in his fidelity and skill that a roving commission was granted him,
with liberty to pick his associates from the Brigade.
Of these he seldom chose more than six. "He often went out," says Moultrie,
"and returned with prisoners, before I knew that he was gone.
I have known of his catching a party that was looking for him.
He has told me that he could have killed single men several times,
but he would not; he would rather let them get off. He went into
the British lines at Savannah, as a deserter, complaining, at the same time,
of our ill-usage of him; he was gladly received (they having heard
of his character) and caressed by them. He stayed eight days,
and after informing himself well of their strength, situation and intentions,
he returned to us again; but that game he could not play a second time.
With his little party he was always hovering about the enemy's camp,
and was frequently bringing in prisoners."** We have seen what reason
was alleged by this brave fellow for not accepting the commission
tendered to him by Governor Rutledge, for his gallantry
in the battle of Fort Moultrie. The nature of his services
was no less a reason why he should reject the commission.
The fact that he seldom allowed himself a command of more than six men
declared sufficiently the degree of authority to which he thought
his talents were entitled.

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* "He was a perfect Proteus, in ability to alter his appearance;
perpetually entering the camp of the enemy, without detection,
and invariably returning to his own, with soldiers he had seduced,
or prisoners he had captured."