“Then I will open the door; your terms are generous, and I believe are made in good faith.” “You must submit to be imprisoned in one of the houses until all your men are in my hands.” “I will attend to that,” said Van Curter. “Place a guard upon my men here and come with me.” The doors were thrown open. The ten men were placed in a room by themselves and a guard placed over them. Holmes, Willie and Van Curter now proceeded toward the other house, and Van Curter called the name of Captain Van Zandt. He knew the voice and came to the window immediately. “Is that you, Van Curter?” he asked. “It is I; open.” “Are the English gone?” “No.” “Then why are you here?” “I have surrendered.” “Coward!” “Be careful, sir! I repeat, I have surrendered the place. It was useless to resist. The terms are noble. We are to be allowed to march out with drums and colors, and make our way to the islands. Our private property is ours. In short, better terms were never given. Therefore open your doors and give yourselves up.” “I never drew a cowardly breath in my life, Van Curter. This house is my castle; I will keep it against all who come against it.” “I tell you I have surrendered,” shouted Van Curter. “And I tell _you_ that _I_ have _not_! And, what is more, I don’t intend to. I have a strong house, and the best of your men, and the morning is at hand. I will give a good account of myself, and drive the ragamuffins of Captain Holmes back to their filthy quarters.” “You use modest terms,” said Holmes. “Ah-ha. You are there, Yankee? I give you good-night.” “You refuse to surrender?” “Yes; refuse to the bitter end.” “Then we must make you do it.” “Do it if you can.” CHAPTER X. A NIGHT IN BONDS. Holmes stepped back and took a survey of the building. His practiced eye at once took in its strong points. The doors were of hewn oak, crossed by heavy iron clamps. On the inside, so Van Curter told them, were heavy bars of seasoned wood, tough and elastic as so much steel, set into iron rings upon either side of the door. These bars were four in number, at equal distances from each other. No common power could force one of these doors from its fastening. These entrances were two in number, one at the front and one at the back. The windows were seven in number; two in front, two on each side, and one at the back of the house, fastened, like the doors, by solid wooden bars. These particulars they gained from Van Curter, who was angry at the young captain for refusing to yield. He determined to try him once more, but found him very obstinate. He then demanded that his daughter should be permitted to leave the house. This was refused at once. “Let me understand you, Joseph. Do you mean to tell me, seriously, that you intend to keep my daughter in the house during the attack which will be made upon it?” “I do.” “Then by that act you at once cancel any trust between us.” “Let it be as you say. I will make a new bond between us.”