“General Forster has betrayed us—has sold us!” cried several Highlanders. “We will shoot him.”
“No treaty has been agreed upon,” cried Oxburgh in a loud voice, so that all might hear. “I have seen General Wills, who demands an unconditional surrender from all—Scotsmen as well as Englishmen. An hour is granted for consideration—but a fourth part of the time has already expired,” he added, consulting his watch.
“What say you, my men?” cried Mackintosh. “Will you surrender?”
“Never!” they cried. “We will die sword in hand.”
“I warn you that no quarter will be given,” said Oxburgh.
“We will neither give nor take quarter,” cried the Highlanders. “We will show the Southrons how brave men can die.”
“Then I am to understand, brigadier, that you utterly refuse the terms?” said Oxburgh.
“Utterly!” replied Mackintosh.
Just then General Forster was seen coming along on horseback, accompanied by the Earl of Derwentwater and Lord Widdrington.
Fearing some mischief might happen in the present infuriated state of the Highlanders, Oxburgh signed to the general to go back, and the brigadier also called to his men energetically to keep quiet, but despite the interdiction, several shots were fired.