The answer to this humane suggestion was characteristic. It was a flat refusal. "Our works are now in the hands of the sheriff," said Secretary Lovejoy, "and it is his official duty to protect the property from destruction or damage. If it is necessary in his judgment to call out troops, he is the proper authority to do so. Everything is in his hands." This, at a time when the sheriff was publicly announcing that he was powerless, and when the chances were a hundred to one that the entire force of Pinkertons would be destroyed like rats in a trap, betokened very clearly that the sacrifice of life was a trifle in the eyes of the Carnegie officials compared with the sacrifice of the non-unionist policy to which the firm had tied itself down. The Pinkertons might be killed to the last man, but the Frick ultimatum must stand. No doubt, the firm also considered that the worse the turn taken by affairs at Homestead, the stronger the probability that the militia would be ordered out, and that, with soldiers on the ground, there would be no trouble about bringing in non-unionists. There was, then, nothing to be looked for in the way of humane mediation at the hands of the firm, and nothing in the way of masterful intervention at the hands of the sheriff. Four thousand infuriated steelworkers and three hundred caged Pinkertons were to be left to fight out their deadly quarrel without let or hindrance. The dictates of law and humanity were alike suspended upon that July day--the most unfortunate day in the history of organized labor in the United States. [Illustration: THE BATTLE AT THE LANDING.] CHAPTER VI. [Illustration: THE BOMBARDMENT] CANNONADING THE BARGES--SILAS WAIN'S SAD DEATH--THE LITTLE BILL RETURNS AND RUNS THE GAUNTLET--A CAR OF FIRE TERRIFIES THE PINKERTONS AND DRIVES CAPTAIN RODGERS TO FLIGHT--AMALGAMATED OFFICIALS ARRIVE--DINING UNDER FIRE--HORRORS IN THE GUARDSMEN'S QUARTERS--THE KILLING OF DETECTIVE CONNORS--DYNAMITE--SUICIDE ON THE BARGES--MESSAGES FROM ABROAD--CONGRESS ACTS. While the heroes of the battle at the landing were building breastworks in the mill-yards and keeping up an intermittent fire on the enemy, a busy scene was in progress at the telegraph office in the advisory committee's headquarters. Here a temporary arsenal was established and rifles, shot guns and ammunition were distributed to volunteers eager to take a hand against Mr. Frick's emissaries.