"'You are prisoners!' exclaimed a voice which struck a panic through the clan, as the door was opened—'surrender, or you are dead men!'
"'By whose authority is this?' asked the captain of the tories, rushing to the door, with his sword drawn, followed by his clan, with their guns uncharged.
"'We demand it in the name of the Continental Congress'—exclaimed he of the whigs.
"'We surrender to nothing, but to superior strength,' said the tory captain. 'Soldiers! come on.'
"'My brave comrades! advance,' exclaimed the leader of the patriots— 'death or victory—make ready!'—
"'It's of no use to contend,' said the farmer—'not a gun loaded, captain!—we're betrayed!—a blight on that yankee!—'
"'Take aim!'—uttered the patriot leader.
"'Hold! hold!' exclaimed the captain of the tories—'it's needless to shed blood—what are your terms?'"
"'Immediate surrender!' replied the commander of the whigs.