I love to think that the British were surprised most unpleasantly. Their fire was waning, but ours was not, it seemed to them. The mischievous little battery was still there, and they had neither reduced it nor passed it. It was mirth to us to think how easily they could pass us, and yet preferred to reduce us. “By all that’s glorious,” exclaimed Whitestone, “they’re retreating!” It was so. The ships were hauling off, whether to refit for another attack or to consult for future action we did not know. We gave them a few shots as they drew away, and presently they anchored out of range. Boats were launched, and men in gold-laced caps and coats were rowed to the largest frigate. “The admiral has called a conference, I guess,” I said to Whitestone. He nodded, and we inspected our battery to see how it had stood the second bombardment. Two more Quaker guns were dismounted, but one of them we were able to put again into fairly presentable condition. That done, we took some refreshment from our knapsacks, and awaited in calmness the next movement of our enemies. As it was, we flattered ourselves that we had made a gallant fight. We waited a half hour, and then a boat put out from the big frigate. Besides the oarsmen, it contained a richly dressed officer and a white flag. They came directly toward us. “A flag of truce and a conference,” I said. “Shall we condescend, Whitestone?” “Oh, yes,” replied Whitestone. “We ought to hear what they have to say.” “Then you remain in command of the battery,” I said, “and I will meet the officer.” I scrambled down the high cliff to the water’s edge and awaited the boat, which I was determined should not come too near. When it came within speaking distance, I hailed the officer and ordered him to stop. “I am Captain Middleton,” he called, “and I am commissioned by our commander to speak to your commander.” “General Arnold saw you coming,” I said, “and sent me to meet you and hear what you have to say.” “General Arnold!” he exclaimed in surprise. “Yes, General Arnold, the commander of our battery,” I replied. I mentioned General Arnold because of his great reputation then as a fighting general. And a fighting general he was, too; I will say it, traitor though he afterward proved to be. “I thought General Arnold was with Gates,” said the officer. “Oh, they quarreled,” I replied airily, which was the truth, “and General Arnold, being relieved of his command up there, has come down here to fight this battery. You have seen for yourself that he knows how to do it.” “It is true,” he said, “your fire was very warm.” He looked up at the battery, but I would not let him come within fifty feet of the shore, and he could see nothing save the earthworks and some of the gun muzzles. “It can be made warmer,” I said confidently, not boastingly. “I have come to summon you to surrender,” he said. “We will offer you good terms.”