Some of the rangers rose to submit and some to resist. Hughson of Dutchess County, one of their lieutenants, cried out, "Fire away boys, Fire ! never give up to the rebels," and fell dead a few mo-ments afterward, fighting to the last. At this instant Colonel Haslet came up with the main body of his detachment, and completely surrounded the ranger guard, but Green's Virgin-ians were by this time mixed up with the enemy, and all was darkness and uncertainty. In the midst of this confusion, the Captain of the rangers adopted the outcries of the Amer-icans and shouted forth: "Surrender you Tory dogs ! Sur-render." His men followed his example. For several minutes nothing was heard but execrations against Rogers and his Tories. Comrades, in the meanwhile, grappled with each other, and friend could not be distinguished from foe. By the cunning adoption and liberal use of such abusive names as were bestowed by the Whig soldiers upon their antagonists, Eagles and about one third of his men escaped during the continuance of the tumult. The rangers were now on the alert, while most of Haslet's guides had either deserted or could not be found; but the

Chapter I

24 The MCDONALD PAPERS

intrepid Colonel secured his prisoners and their arms and then immediately pushed forward at the head of his men to-ward Heathcote Hill. The encounter between Eagles' company and Major Green's followers roused Rogers from his slumbers at the schoolhouse. Seizing a fusil which it was his custom to carry, he ran with the utmost speed to Heathcote Hill, where his men were at their posts but in great alarm, expecting an immediate attack from forces much superior. He had barely time to address a few words of encouragement to his soldiers, when Colonel Has-let advanced to the attack.