Captain Parker heard the remark, and answered:
"The first man who offers to run shall be shot down."[116]
On came the British, almost on the run,[117] the light companies of the Tenth Regiment in advance.[118] At their head rode Major John Pitcairn and two other mounted officers.[119]
"Stand your ground," exclaimed Parker; "don't fire unless fired upon. But if they want to have a war let it begin here!"[120]
Major Pitcairn galloped up to within six rods of Captain Parker's foremost line, and exclaimed:
"Lay down your arms, you damned rebels, and disperse."
Captain Parker, seeing the utter hopelessness of armed resistance, gave the order to disperse and not to fire.[121] He did not, however, order his men to lay down their arms. Evidently Pitcairn wished to disarm them, for while they were dispersing he shouted again:—
"Damn you, why don't you lay down your arms?"[122]
But no answer came back, and each one of Capt. Parker's little band retiring from the field, carried his gun with him.