Laura Secord, the heroine of 1812 Part 15

[_They give up their arms_.

_Enter_ FITZGIBBON'S _command_.

Here, Sergeant, march them in and set a guard.

[_They are marched into the tavern. Shots are heard_.

_Fitsgibbon_. They're come! Quick--march, my lads.

SCENE 3.--_The beech ridge. Frequent firing. The Indian war-whoop.

Bugles sounding the advance_.

_Enter_ LIEUT. FITZGIBBON _and_ COL. THOMAS CLARKE.

_Fitzgibbon_. The Mohawks have done well; and I am glad To have your help, sir, too. What is your strength?

_Clarke_. But twenty, sir, all told.

_Fitzgibbon_. And I but thirty. Too few to fight such force In open field. But Boerstler's lost his head: Deluded by our calls, your fierce attack, And Indian fighting--which to them has ghosts Of their own raising--scalps, treachery, what not.

There is our chance: I mean to summon him To a surrender.

_Clarke (in great surprise)_. Sir!

_Fitzgibbon_. 'Tis a bold stroke, I grant, and if it fail Why then I'll fight it out. Keep up the scare Some moments longer, and we'll see.

_Clarke_. Good luck betide so brave a word; I'll do my best.

[_Exit_ COL. CLARKE.

_Enter the American force in some confusion_.

(FITZGIBBON _sends forward a flag of truce; the bugles sound "Cease firing;" an officer advances from the American lines and_ FITZGIBBON _goes forward to meet him_.)

_Fitzgibbon_. Sir, with my compliments to your commander, I am the leader of this large detachment, Backed closely up by reinforcements Larger still. Indians, our good allies, Swarm in the woods around; and in your rear A strong militia force awaits my orders: Therefore, sir, to save a useless loss Of brave men's lives, I offer you fair terms Of full surrender.

_American officer_. I will report, sir, To Colonel Boerstler.

[_Exit_.

_Fitzgibbon_ (_aside)_. And I will pray.

For after all in G.o.d's hand lies the day: I've done the best I know.

_Enter the American officer and an orderly_.

_American officer_. Sir, with respect, our colonel bids me say That, seeing fate and fortune both unite To mar success, he'll rather save his men By fair surrender, than waste their lives In useless struggle. He commissions me To act in drawing up the terms.

I am McDowell, captain of a troop.

_Fitzgibbon_ (_bowing)_. Your humble servant, sir. We'll try to please Your colonel; rejoicing we have met a foe Who knows the bravery of discretion.

_Enter_ COL. CLARKE, CAPT. KERR, _of the Indian contingent, and_ MISHE-MO-QUA.

(_The British officers consult, and then invite_ CAPT. MCDOWELL _to join them. A drum is brought, Major De Haren produces writing materials; and terms of capitulation are drawn up, which are read to_ CAPT. MCDOWELL.)

_Fitzgibbon_. Our terms we make as light as possible: I hope you'll find them so, sir.

_Capt. McDowell_ (_after reading_). Terms generous and honourable sir; I thank you. A n.o.ble foe is always half a friend.

I'll carry them to Colonel Boerstler, With your consent.

[FITZGIBBON _bows_.

[_Exit_ CAPT. MCDOWELL.

_Enter_ MAJOR DE HAREN, _who hastens to greet_ LIEUT. FITZGIBBON.

_Major De Haren_. Why, what is this, Fitzgibbon, that I hear?

That with your little handful you have caught Five hundred enemy? A very elephant!

_Fitzgibbon_. A strait like mine required some strategy.

_De Haren_. My dear, brave fellow, you have surely won The golden epaulettes! How glad I am I was not here before. Such tact! such skill!

You are a soldier born. But who comes. .h.i.ther?

_Enter_ COL. BOERSTLER, CAPT. MCDOWELL _and other American officers_.

_Fitzgibbon_. These are the officers to sign our terms.

[_The officers on both sides salute_.

_Boerstler_ (_to Fitzgibbon_). I thank you, sir, for honourable terms, For vain it was to cope with force like yours.

But ne'er I thought to put my hand to such A doc.u.ment.

[_He takes up the pen_.

_Fitzgibbon_. Fortune of war, sir, that we all may meet.

[_Each officer signs the doc.u.ment in his order_; MISHE-MO-QUA _draws his totem--a bear--as his signature_.

_De Haren_ (_to Col. Boerstler_). Will you proceed on the third article?

_Boerstler_ (_to Capt. McDowell_). Give you the order.

[_Exit_ CAPT. MCDOWELL.