,
and, in the corner near the door, were four muskets thrown together
against the wall. To spring from his saddle and thrust himself one pace
inside of the door, was a movement which the sergeant executed in an
instant, shouting at the same time--

"Halt! File off right and left to both sides of the house, and wait
orders. I demand the surrender of all here," he said, as he planted
himself between the party and their weapons. "I will shoot down the
first man who budges a foot."

"Leap to your arms," cried the young officer who commanded the little
party inside of the house. "Why do you stand?"

"I don't want to do you or your men any harm, young man," said Robinson,
as he brought his rifle to a level, "but, by my father's son, I will not
leave one of you to be put upon a muster-roll if you raise a hand at
this moment."

Both parties now stood, for a brief space, eyeing each other in a
fearful suspense, during which there was an expression of doubt and
irresolution visible on the countenances of the soldiers, as they
surveyed the broad proportions, and met the stern glance of the
sergeant, whilst the delay, also, began to raise an apprehension in the
mind of Robinson that his stratagem would be discovered.

"Shall I let loose upon them, captain?" said Andrew Ramsay, now
appearing, most unexpectedly to Robinson, at the door of the hut. "Come
on, boys!" he shouted, as he turned his face towards the field.

"Keep them outside of the door--stand fast," cried the doughty sergeant,
with admirable promptitude, in the new and sudden posture of his affairs
caused by this opportune appearance of the boy. "Sir, you see that it's
not worth while fighting five to one; and I should be sorry to be the
death of any of your brave fellows; so, take my advice, and surrender to
the Continental Congress and this scrap of its army which I command."

During this appeal the sergeant was ably seconded by the lad outside,
who was calling out first on one name, and then on another, as if in the
presence of a troop. The device succeeded, and the officer within,
believing the forbearance of Robinson to be real, at length said:--

"Lower your rifle, sir. In the presence of a superior force, taken by
surprise, and without arms, it is my duty to save bloodshed. With the
promise of fair usage, and the rights of prisoners of war, I surrender
this little foraging party under my command."

"I'll make the terms agreeable," replied the sergeant. "N