"To be sure," said the basket-maker, a little doubtfully.
"Now let's look at the arms and accouterments, I think you call them. Well, this old musket has been loaded—"
"This ten year," said the old lady.
"And the lock is so rusty that you could not cock it when you wanted to take aim at Hannah."
The old man looked foolish, and muttered "To be sure."
"And there isn't another round of ammunition in the house."
The old man was silent.
"Now let us look at the incumbrances. Here's the old lady and Shocky. If you fight, the enemy will be pleased. It will give them a chance to kill you. And then the old lady will die and they will do with Shocky as they please."
"To be sure," said the old man reflectively.
"Now," said Ralph, "General Winfield Scott, under such circumstances, would retreat in good order. Then, when he could muster his forces rightly, he would drive the enemy from his ground."