“Within there! Don’t fire!”
It was only just in time, for half-a-dozen muskets were presented.
The next moment Roy’s voice rang out clearly:
“Sergeant Martlet, corporal, Raynes, all of you, we have done our duty, and it is hopeless to fight longer. You are the only men left. To resist is to give all your lives for nothing. March out and throw down your arms.”
A groan rose from within, and a figure came to the door-way.
“Don’t say that, Master Roy,” cried Ben, hoarsely. “Couldn’t we do it if we held out?”
“No; they will blow the place up. The powder is waiting. I am your captain; I order you to surrender now.”
“Master Roy! Master Roy!” cried the old soldier in a piteous voice; “it was no doing of mine. I was on the alert. Don’t think it was any fault of mine.”
“Fault of yours, Ben?” cried Roy. “No, nor mine neither.”
“But how did they get in, sir?”