“No terms can be kept with savages. It is impossible to trust them,” exclaimed the overseer. “However, we must now stand the consequences.”
Mr Ferris, who felt his anger rising at what he considered Thompson’s insolence, descended from the roof.
The firing had aroused the rest of the party. The lieutenant even, although musket-shots were familiar sounds, started to his feet, believing that the house was about again to be attacked. Mr Ferris explained what had happened, and both the lieutenant and Mr Twigg agreed that he had acted rightly, and blamed the overseer for firing. Lieutenant Belt especially was indignant at his conduct.
“They may or may not venture again to attack us, but if they do, and succeed, we can expect no mercy at their hands,” he said.
“We could have expected none, at all events, I believe,” observed Mr Twigg.
Some of the garrison, who had a lower sense of honour than Mr Ferris, were not so well satisfied with his decision, and declared that if they had had their will they would have given up the overseer to Cudjoe, though they took care not to utter such an opinion in his hearing.
The position of the garrison was now truly critical. The shots uselessly fired had expended several of the few rounds, now of such inestimable value. The lieutenant, on making inquiries, found that some of the men had only a single charge apiece; none had more than two. Should another attack be made, what hope had they of beating off the foe? He did not conceal the state of affairs from the gentlemen.
“Then our best chance will be to sally out at once and fight our way towards Walton,” said Mr Twigg.
“Unless our friends should appear to our relief we should be surrounded and cut to pieces,” answered the lieutenant. “When the blacks find that we have no powder, they will attack us with greater confidence. We may still hold out for some hours in the house, and as the enemy are not as yet aware of our want of ammunition, they may possibly not again venture on an assault.”
“But if they do?” asked Mr Twigg.