"On them, bullies!" shouted a voice, which I recognized as Colonel Kellum's; "show the d——d rebels no quarter! Kill, kill, kill!"
The soldiers had got their blood up, and responded to the barbarous orders with a yell like famished tigers on the scent of blood. The timbers were torn away, and in rushed the disciplined men, firing volley after volley upon all who met their view. We could hear the groans of the wounded, and shrieks of the dying, until at last the firing ceased for the want of victims, many having made their escape.
"Do you surrender?" we heard the colonel shout; and although we could not see whom he addressed, we suspected that Ross and his boldest adherents were making a stand in the enclosure.
"Let us try and save them," cried Fred; and without listening to our warning, he started towards the palisade, followed close by Mr. Brown, Smith, and myself.
The soldiers took but little notice of us, thinking that we were government officials; so we worked our way by them until we reached the spot where Colonel Kellum was standing, surrounded by his officers.
"Do the d——d rebels surrender?" the colonel repeated, just as we could witness the proceedings.
"Here's the leader of 'em, sir, that says he will," cried two or three soldiers, escorting Ross towards the colonel.
"The leader, hey! Bring him here," was the command.
Ross walked firmly towards his conqueror, and stopped when within a few paces.
"Are you the leader of these ragamuffins?" demanded Kellum, arrogantly.