Now lest I multiply words needlessly, by trying to give a complete list of those who had come to us, let me say that there were thirty-two women and children, and fourteen men and boys added to our number. Owing to Colonel Dennison’s efforts with John Butler, every member of the party, save the very smallest children, brought with them more or less in the way of provisions, and three of the men had succeeded in getting off with their muskets by taking the barrel from the stock, and packing both pieces in bundles of clothing. In addition to this, sixteen of the company had secreted about them powder and ball, so that it seemed as if we need not fear to run out of either provisions or ammunition for a week at least, though I promised myself that as soon as it could be done, I would have a careful estimate made of all our stores. Counting all the men and boys who had just arrived, together with our wounded, my company of Minute Boys numbered twenty-four, or two more than when we went into Fort Jenkins hoping to hold it against all the Tories and savages who might come. To arm these, however, we had only fourteen muskets, with, possibly, a knife for each one, since nearly all of the fugitives had been allowed to bring with them knives as well as hatchets. Our force was even stronger than I have stated, for among the women were no less than sixteen who looked as if they might be counted on to stand guard, reload weapons during a fight, and, perhaps, do not a little work if it came to a hand-to-hand scrimmage. “It isn’t a bad showing,” I said to Master Bartlett, after looking over the newcomers. “We should be able to hold this place at least until our ammunition is exhausted.” “Even more than that can be done, lad, if you hold yourself steadily as the captain. Insist on each man and woman doing his or her full share of the work, and when you give an order, take good care that it is obeyed promptly. Discipline is even more necessary than weapons, and the commander’s hand must be firm.” At that moment I was thinking more of how we might add to the store of provisions than as to exercising my authority, and interrupted the old man to call Giles March, saying to him when he was come: “Take with you a full dozen men and boys, and make search of all these ruins. There must be food of some kind, burned or otherwise, in such fragments of the buildings as are yet standing, and there should be gardens nearabout from which considerable may already be gathered.” He did not delay to question, but summoned those nearest at hand, and when he was gone I sent six more women to the lookout platforms, urging them, and those already on guard, to keep sharp watch while Giles and his company remained absent.