My tone angered him.
"There are enough in reserve to crush you," he retorted warmly. "I demand your immediate surrender, sir."
"On what terms?"
"Unconditional," he thundered, "and if I have to charge you we shall take no prisoners."
I waited for a lull in the firing, and they accepted the pause as hesitation. Then I stepped backward to the door.
"I regret greatly to disappoint you, Colonel," I said clearly, "but we have decided to fight. If you are not out of range within two minutes my men will open fire."
Without awaiting an answer, I stepped within and closed the door.