Brown ordered one of his prisoners, Captain Dangerfield, a clerk of the Armory Staff, to secure the fastenings. Dangerfield slipped the bolts to their limit and stood watching his chance to throw them and admit the marines.
Brown ordered him back. He retreated a few feet and watched the bolts, as the blows rained on the door.
Stuart had slipped into the fight. He called to Green.
"The hammers are too light. There's a big ladder outside. Get it and use it as a battering ram."
With a shout the marines seized the ladder, five men on a side, and drove it with tremendous force against the door. The first blow shivered a panel.
Brown ordered the fire engine rolled against the door. Dangerfield sprang to assist. He slipped the bolt out instead of in! The next rush of the ladder drove the door against the engine, rolled it back a foot and made a small opening through which Lieutenant Green forced his way.
The marines crowded in behind him. Green sprang on the engine with drawn sword and looked for Brown. A shower of bullets greeted him. Yet the miracle happened. Not one touched him. He recognized Colonel Washington, leaped from the engine and rushed to his side.
On one knee, a few feet to his left, knelt a man with a carbine in his hand pulling the lever to reload.
Colonel Washington waved his arm.
"That's Osawatomie."