"Is there any one who professes to command your force?"
General Hamilton, attended by Master James Hunter and my father, rode to the line of the encampment, and the old Scotchman lifted his hat in answer to the question.
"Who am I addressing?" the officer asked, and then it was that I recognized him as the governor's secretary.
"That you know full well, David Edwards!" our old commander shouted; "but lest you may think I'm afraid to bring myself under the ban of your mock court, I'll repeat it. I am Ninian Bell Hamilton, a freeholder of this colony, president of that association known as the Regulation, and bending the knee to no one outside of bonny Scotland!"
What a shout went up from the people as the old gentleman thus boldly announced himself! It was as if the hill literally trembled because of the tumult, and not until a good five minutes had passed was it possible for Master Edwards to make himself heard.
Then, when the people were hoarse from much shouting, the secretary cried:
"In the name of the king I bid you disperse!"
"Wherefore?" General Hamilton asked sharply. "Is it not allowed that the people may assemble when their court of law is about to decide upon the fate of two most worthy members of this colony?"
"It is not lawful to menace the king's officers while they are in discharge of their duty."
"It is you who are menacing, my good man. We have come here in orderly fashion, and were doing our best to preserve order when you marched out in full war array."