Here they crouched, watching the light as it slowly approached, and presently they could make out the forms of the redcoats. They were strung out almost in single file, and were making their way very slowly, for the ground was new to them. But doubtless they had seen swamps before, and knew that it would be bad for them if they were to get off the path and into the quagmire on either side. Closer and closer they came, and when they were within perhaps twenty yards of the point where the path joined the island, Mr. Williams called out loudly: “Halt! Stop where you are!” The man in the lead, carrying the torch, stopped instantly and the other redcoats followed suit. There was a brief period of silence, and then the man with the torch cried: “So you’re there, eh?” “Yes, we’re here,” was the reply. “Well, we’re coming there to have a talk with you, and--” “You will advance another step at your peril!” interrupted Mr. Williams. “Eh?” in an amazed voice. “You don’t mean that you will show fight!” “We certainly will show fight,” was the reply. “The best thing that you can do is to turn around and go back to the mainland.” “Oh, but we won’t do that.” “You will be sorry if you don’t.” “Bosh. What can a little party of you farmers do against a force of the king’s soldiers?” “We are almost as many as your force, we are all armed, and we know how to shoot.” “Humph. How many are there of you?” “There are fifteen of us.” “Well, there are fifty in our party, so what show do you stand of fighting against us successfully.” “I have information to the effect that there are only twenty in your party.” This seemed to surprise the redcoats, and there was silence for a few moments, and then the leader said: “Who informed you to that effect, if I may ask?” “That is my affair.” “Well, your informant was mistaken. There are fifty of us, and if you try to show fight, we will kill the whole gang of you.” “You are only twenty, and we will fight you, and will easily drive you away, too, for the reason that the path is so narrow only a few of you can approach at a time. We can shoot you down as fast as you appear at the edge of the island.” Again there was a brief period of silence, and then the leader walked back a few paces and held a low conversation with a number of the soldiers. Then he turned and advanced to within about twenty-five yards of the edge of the island, and called out sternly: “Will you surrender?” “No,” was the reply. “You had better.” “No, you had better go back to the mainland and let us alone.” “We are coming onto the island, and if you fire upon us, it will go hard with you.” “We will certainly fire,” was the determined reply. “Very well. Your blood be upon your own heads, then.” Then the leader called to the soldiers, saying: “Follow me, men. And be ready to fire the instant I give the word.”