And cried with many a curse:
“Lay down your arms, you villains![15]
You villains you, disperse!”
But, true to law and country,
Scarce one his musket dropt[16];
And then their column falter’d,
Broke up, moved slower, stopt.
“You rebels!” roar’d the leader,
While up his pistol came—[17]
A hint his minions welcomed;