human
Say, don't yer think this game has been played long enough?
gpt
Entirely too long,
human
We-uns is ready ter make terms if yer don't ask the earth, continued the tall guerilla, swinging his lanky arms into a fold.
gpt
Wot do yer say to it?
human
I think you had better make terms.
gpt
Oh, we ain't so terribully skeered, Major. But makin' terms might suit better all around, thet's all.
human
Well, what do you propose?
gpt
This. You-uns let us withdraw on our hosses to the road an' give us half a mile start, an' we-uns will leave everything in the house jest as we found it.
human
And if I refuse?
gpt
Then we'll burn the hull shebang to the ground and take wot comes arfterward,
human
Do you know what will come?
gpt
A fight most likely,
human
Yes, and a heavy one, if our reënforcements arrive in time. And as commander here I'll promise you that if you harm the house or its contents in the least, every man captured shall be hung to yonder trees as an incendiary and thief.
gpt
Ye can't do thet--not to Confed'rit sodgers, Major.
human
I don't recognize you as Confederates. You are simply outlaws.
gpt
The guerilla paused and began to think of the instructions which had been given him.
human
Wot kind o' terms air you calkerlatin' ter make, Major?
gpt
I want all in the house to surrender, and if you do I'll simply hand you over to the county authorities and they can do with you as they think best. But each of you must swear to leave Riverlawn alone in the future.
human
The boys won't agree on thet--I know they won't.
gpt
They can do as they please; you have my terms,
human
Yer won't treat us as simple prisoners o' war?
gpt
No; for such you are not. Neither your captain nor your lieutenant holds a commission signed by the Confederate authorities.
human
Bowman, you can do a big thing for me if you will,