Although only a few yards distant, the ball missed, and Allen, not to be thought wanting in reciprocal feelings, fired at the captain, but both were too much blown to take aim, so the shots were wasted.
"Coward!" shouted Allen—"cowards all! To think that it took five hundred men to capture twoscore patriots!"
The captain answered back and demanded surrender.
"As prisoners of war?" asked Allen.
"No. As rebels."
"Then, by the great Jehovah, I will die fighting! Men, let us resist to the death!"
To the surprise of the English, a volley was fired into their ranks, and the Americans prepared to load again.
Seven more of Allen's men had fallen wounded, while twelve of the English had been made to bite the dust.
"On what terms will you surrender?" asked the captain.
"That we shall all be recognized as prisoners of war and receive honorable treatment."