"I, the sheriff! I hold an order from Governor Brent to arrest this man, and I call upon you as a good citizen of Maryland to come to my aid."
Ingle by this time had got his back against a tree, and stood there waving his dagger and calling to his foes to come on if they dared.
"I am no citizen of Maryland," said Romney Huntoon; "I come from Virginia, but I've no objection to bearing a hand in the arrest of this man, for I heard his traitorous ranting, and I vowed then to do him a bad turn if ever it came in my way."
"Your chance is come," muttered the sheriff. "Do you stand here and cover him with your pistol, and I will go round behind the tree and try if I may not bind him where he stands. Ingle," he added, turning to the other, "if you move you are a dead man."
"Hold! in the King's name!"
The three men started as if a cannon had exploded in their midst. The surprise even sobered Ingle. He looked up in speechless amazement as Councillor Neale and Captain Cornwaleys strode up, and with all the double weight of civil and military authority called out to Ingle to surrender.
Seeing his position desperate he sullenly obeyed.
"March in front," commanded Cornwaleys. "Ellyson, do you walk beside him. Master Huntoon, if you will favor us with your company and your weapons, you will oblige us by your escort down the road as far as the wharf where The Reformation lies."
"The Reformation?" exclaimed Huntoon.
"I said so, I think," answered Cornwaleys.