We waited a half hour, and then a boat put out from the big frigate. Besides the oarsmen, it contained a richly dressed officer and a white flag. They came directly toward us.
“A flag of truce and a conference,” I said. “Shall we condescend, Whitestone?”
“Oh, yes,” replied Whitestone. “We ought to hear what they have to say.”
“Then you remain in command of the battery,” I said, “and I will meet the officer.”
I scrambled down the high cliff to the water’s edge and awaited the boat, which I was determined should not come too near. When it came within speaking distance, I hailed the officer and ordered him to stop.
“I am Captain Middleton,” he called, “and I am commissioned by our commander to speak to your commander.”
“General Arnold saw you coming,” I said, “and sent me to meet you and hear what you have to say.”
“General Arnold!” he exclaimed in surprise.
“Yes, General Arnold, the commander of our battery,” I replied.
I mentioned General Arnold because of his great reputation then as a fighting general. And a fighting general he was, too; I will say it, traitor though he afterward proved to be.