Once aboard a Patriot's ship and due to leave port bound for New Orleans, Mary Videaux discovers a ship holding Patriot captives is also in the harbor. She leaves the safety of the ship Francis had gotten for her, and boards the prisoner ship under the guise of looking for captured relatives.

Once aboard, she is allowed to nurse the captives until she is recognized by a visiting British officer. He declares that he must report her to Colonel Tarleton, but the Naval officers allow her to continue nursing while waiting for a response from Tarleton.

Given the extra time, Mary plots an escape by the prisoners. They overtake the ship, then escape with a rowboat. They arrive at the Swamp Fox's camp to find that Marion has been seriously contemplating resigning from the Army due to lack of men. With the situation suddenly changed, he sends word to General Greene that he will undertake the orders of procuring three hundred horses for him.