To the captain and the others who crowded around he quickly told what had passed.
"Your order was to let you know the terms before giving an answer," he added, addressing the leader, "but you see it wasn't necessary."
A buzz of commendation left no doubt of the wisdom of his course.
"But what about his threat to burn the building?" asked Sterry, addressing no one in particular.
"He will do it, or at least will try it," replied Hawkridge, "for he doesn't intend any one shall have time to interfere, as may be the case if he delays too long."
"To set fire to the house," remarked the captain, who had given much thought to the question, "they must first reach it, and that manoeuvre will prove a costly one to them. I suspect that some other firing will take place about that time—eh, boys?"
The response revealed the feelings of the men, who were chafing under their restraint.
"But, surely," continued Sterry, "they do not mean to burn the building while Mrs. Whitney and her daughter are within?"
"As was said some time ago," replied Hawkridge, "that makes little difference, since it is not to be supposed that even we will stay inside during the conflagration. The firing is meant to drive us out, and it will do it."
"But there must be considerable shooting, and the ladies will be in danger."