Again there was a brief period of silence, and then the leader walked back a few paces and held a low conversation with a number of the soldiers. Then he turned and advanced to within about twenty-five yards of the edge of the island, and called out sternly:
“Will you surrender?”
“No,” was the reply.
“You had better.”
“No, you had better go back to the mainland and let us alone.”
“We are coming onto the island, and if you fire upon us, it will go hard with you.”
“We will certainly fire,” was the determined reply.
“Very well. Your blood be upon your own heads, then.”
Then the leader called to the soldiers, saying: “Follow me, men. And be ready to fire the instant I give the word.”
Perhaps he thought that this command would have the effect of frightening the patriot settlers into not firing, but if so, he was mistaken, for when the first of the party of soldiers was almost to the island, Mr. Williams cried sternly: