Among  these  brave  and  active  patriots,  William  Ken-
nedy stood  conspicuous.  He  was  of  French  Huguenot
descent — the  race  to  which  Marion  belonged.  He  was  tall,
handsome,  and  athletic.  His  perception  was  quick,  his
sagacity  equal  to  any  emergency,  and  his  ability  sufficient
for  a  great  commander.  But  he  persistently  refused  to
accept  any  office,  choosing  rather  to  serve  as  a  common
soldier.  He  was  regarded  as  the  best  shot  with  his  rifle  of
any  pers9n  in  all  that  region.  Whether  on  foot  or  horse-
back, at  half-speed  or  a  stand-still,  he  was  never  known  to
miss  his  aim.  His  rifle  had  a  peculiar  crack  when  fired,
which  his  acquaintances  could  recognize ;  and  when  its
well-known  report  was  heard,  it  was  a  common  remark —
"  the7-e  is  another  Tory  less.'''

Although  he  held  no  commission,  yet  the  men  of  the
neighborhood  acknowledged  him  as  their  leader  when  dan-
ger was  nigh,  and  their  feet  were  ever  in  the  stirrup  at  his
bidding.  His  efforts  were  often  called  into  requisition  by
the  plundering  excursions  of  the  Tories  sent  out  under  the
auspices  of  Ferguson,  Dunlap,  and  their  subordinate  offi
cers.  He  and  his  comrades  often  saved  their  settlement  from
being  over-run  by  these  scouting  parties.  The  crack' of
Kennedy's  rifle  was  sure  to  be  heard  whenever  a  Tory  was
found ;  and  it  was  the  well-known  signal  for  his  friends  to
hasten  to  his  assistance.  He  seemed  almost  to  "snuff"  the
battle  from  afar ;"  and  the  flush  of  determination  would  suf-
fuse his  manly  countenance  whenever  he  had  reason  to
believe  the  enemy  were  near.
130  KING 'S  MO  UNTAIN.
