Clo.—Go you the next way with your findings; I’ll go see if the bear be gone from the gentleman, and how much he hath eaten; they are never curst, but when they are hungry; if there be any of him left, I’ll bury it.”—Winter’s Tale—Shakespeare. IMMEDIATELY after the interview of the four colored men with General Baker, Rives hastened to the drill-room, where he soon found the Captain of the militia company. “Doc,” said he, “Gen. Baker says if you do not give up the guns, he will melt the ball down before ten o’clock to-night.” “Judge, just step this way,” and the Captain took him through a communicating door into his own bedroom adjoining. “General,” said he, in a confidential tone, “yo’ are the Major General of the militia of this Division, isn’t yo’?” “Yes.” “Now, here. I am willing to do this. I’ve sent for the Colonel, over and over, three times, but he don’t come. Now, while I believe that, under the law, I have no right to give up the guns to yo’ but yo’ being the General of Militia, I will give yo’ these guns to keep, if yo’ will take ’em and take my chances.” “I have no right to take those guns out of your hands,” replied Rives, (too glad that it was so.) “The law does not give me any such right, and I’m not going to demand them. You can do just as you please. I want the thing to be settled, if possible, but I don’t demand the guns.” “Well,” said Captain Doc, “if yo’ don’t take ’em, I don’t intend to give ’em up to General Baker.” “You do not say that you intend to fight?” “No, sir, I don’t say anything of the kind; but I don’t intend to give up the guns to General Baker; but if yo’ will take ’em to relieve the responsibility of blood being shed in town from me, I will give ’em to yo’.” “No. I have no right to demand them. Yo’ must use your own discretion about it,” replied Rives. “Well, if that is the way yo’ are going to leave me, I’m not going to give ’em to General Baker.” Doc then hastily penned the following note and dispatched it: “Gen. Baker:—These guns are placed in my hands, and I am responsible for them, and have no right to give them up to a private citizen; I cannot surrender them to you.” Signed. A reply came. “I must have the guns in fifteen minutes.” “Well,” Doc coolly remarked, “then he’ll have to take ’em by force, and I shall not be responsible.” He was in the armory with less than forty men, only twenty-five of whom were members of the militia company; the others having fled there unarmed, for protection. “Now boys,” said he, “we may as well settle down to work, for we are in for it, shor. Yo’ keep away from them windows, for any of ’em will be firing in here. I’ll go on top of the roof, and see what they’re doing.” So saying he ascended through a scuttle, and took observations General Baker was riding hither and thither, assisted by his aid, the Colonel of the same name. As he waved his gloved hand, and indicated their positions, the men immediately assumed them.