"In the meantime we shall defend ourselves. We have been attacked"—
"You have not been attacked!" protested the captain. "We came over here to demand the arms. We put up a flag of truce, and wanted to talk with you; but you drove us off, and fired upon us," answered Titus.
"Your people began the attack at the schoolhouse."
"'Tain't so! Some of our men went to the meeting, and you fell upon 'em there."
"They had no business there, for the call was addressed to the Union men of the county. They disturbed the meeting, and we put them out. Then your company gathered in the woods, demanding 'Lyon and his cubs.' My friends stood by me, and the meeting shouldered all the responsibility in regard to the arms. We agreed to get up a company of cavalry for the United States."
"And you mean to arm 'em with the things you stole from me!" almost gasped Captain Titus.
"When a proper officer comes here he will give you a receipt for the property."
"Which would not be worth the paper it is written on to me!"
"Not unless you could show that you were a Union man."
"My men are bent on gettin' them arms, and they will have them!"