“I would have you and Stephen Morley hidden outside where you could shoot down the savages if we bungled the trapping of them. Then the remainder of our force should be just inside the gates, which are to be swung half-open. The women and children are already within the blockhouse under orders not to show themselves or make any noise. If we can’t take them prisoners, we can at least shoot them down.” “Stephen Morley and I will look after the business outside,” Master Bartlett said curtly, and in another instant he was beckoning Morley to follow him. It was not necessary for me to spend above five minutes in posting all my force behind the half-opened gates, and each fellow had his musket ready for use on the instant, in case the curs entered and were not disposed to surrender quietly. The blockhouse was closed, and the doors and windows securely fastened, so there was no fear the inmates would come to harm through any stray bullets, in case we had a scrimmage. When I stood where it was possible to peer through the narrow crevice between the gate and that portion of the stockade to which it was hung, the Indians were just stepping out from their canoe, having seen where Andrew Hardy pulled his craft up on the mud, and, because the curs were looking around for a trail, I believed they would walk directly into our trap. With a cautious warning to my comrades that they might know the decisive moment was near at hand, I looked well to the priming of my musket, and waited nervously for that which was to come. Straight as an arrow from a bow, the curs walked toward the stockade, following the trail and looking suspiciously around as they advanced. There was nothing to alarm them in the fact that the stockade was thrown open, for so they must have expected to find it; but on arriving at the entrance, where it was possible to have a view of the enclosure, the two half-halted as if scenting danger. Then one spoke in his native tongue, pointing toward the blockhouse, and both advanced until the gates could be swung behind them. At the same instant that two of the lads shoved the heavy barrier into place, Daniel Hinchman and Andrew Hardy leaped out on the left side of the foe, and Giles March and I on the right, with our weapons levelled. The sneaks sprang forward two or three paces as they turned with upraised hatchets to face us, and then must they have been blind indeed had either failed to note that it would be instant death to make any attempt at striking a blow. I must give them credit for a show of bravery when they saw how thoroughly well the trap had been sprung. There was no sign either of surprise or fear as they faced us, and without a word both unslung the muskets from their shoulders, throwing them to the ground, together with knives and hatchets, after which the fellows stood with folded arms, as if having no further concern as to what might be done.