Would they surrender without his being under the painful necessity of using force, inquired the officer.
"Never!" The answer was firmly delivered.
The officer turned to the guards, and gave a signal of command for them to move up.
"Stop!" It was Jesse's voice of command. The officer waved the guards to halt.
"We have a proposition to submit. Will you hear it?"
"If it means surrender, yes," replied the officer.
"It is this:" pursued Jesse, not appearing to notice the purport of the officer's reply, "allow these ladies here to retire, and we will discuss the question with you."
"I shall be compelled to take you by force," said the officer.
"Let the ladies retire, I say!" exclaimed Jesse James, in a tone that betrayed his impatience.
The Boys were not surprised without arms. They never lay aside a pair of pistols. They are ever at their sides, and always ready for use. The officer parleyed. He did not desire to begin an affray in the midst of a company of ladies—his instincts as a gentleman revolted against subjecting them to alarm and danger. The house was surrounded; he had ample force to enforce the orders of his superiors; so he said,