"Halt! Lie down," continued Cortland. He had gained sixty feet by his rush without loss of a man. "Fire only when you see something to shoot at. Commence firing at will."
Now the firing slackened, though it was not less deadly. Even the scoundrels ahead slowed down their fire, as though they found their weapons becoming hot.
Captain Cortland was in no hurry. He meant to have the scoundrels, dead or alive, but he did not intend to risk his own men needlessly. The army officer knew it was now only a question of time. Nor did he fear running out of ammunition, for the greater part of his small command was not yet in action, but posted beyond.
The daylight grew stronger; then the upper rim of the sun peeped over the horizon, sending its rays into the sky.
"Cease firing," commanded Cortland at last. Then he called over the rocks.
"Are you fellows ready to surrender to United States forces?"
"Not until we're all dead," came the taunting reply.
"Then we'll try to accommodate you by killing you with as little delay as possible," called back the captain. Then, to his own little force he added:
"Men, advance as you see opportunity. Fire whenever you see anything to aim at."
Steadily the regulars crawled forward, a foot or a yard at a time.