Holding his lame arm closely to his side, William ran down the hill, and was soon at the house. Captain Littel, who had led the first attack, had been wounded.
"Is any one in command here?" shouted a voice from the window.
Looking up, a British officer was seen standing there. One of the countrymen levelled a rifle at him, taking aim.
William knocked the piece aside. "Teach them a lesson. Behave like men. You are not murdering Indians!"
"But those green-coated devils are," said the man, "which is just as bad." Again he rested his rifle.
William drew back his hand as if to fell the man.
"Hold! You are right," said the latter; "but if you had seen what I have—" He stopped.
In a minute William found himself haranguing the angry crowd about him. The fearless ring of his voice and his soldierly bearing had its effect.
The men grew calmer. The fire had now eaten its way into the interior of the house, and the roof was blazing.
"We surrender," said the officer at the window. "Is there any one here to whom I can give my sword? For God's sake, don't burn us all to death!"