It appeared that the opportunity for distinction, of this wild character, was no longer to be denied them.
The party of strangers was already within a hundred rods of the rock.
Either consulting their usual wary method of advancing, or admonished by the threatening attitudes of two figures, who had thrust forth the barrels of as many old muskets from behind the stone entrenchment, the new comers halted, under favour of an inequality in the ground, where a growth of grass thicker than common offered the advantage of concealment.

From this spot they reconnoitred the fortress for several anxious, and to Ellen, interminable minutes.

Then one advanced singly, and apparently more in the character of a herald than of an assailant.
"Phoebe, do you fire," and "no, Hetty, you," were beginning to be heard between the half-frightened and yet eager daughters of the squatter, when Ellen probably saved the advancing stranger from some imminent alarm, if from no greater danger, by exclaiming-- "Lay down the muskets; it is Dr.Battius!" Her subordinates so far complied, as to withdraw their hands from the locks, though the threatening barrels still maintained the portentous levels.

The naturalist, who had advanced with sufficient deliberation to note the smallest hostile demonstration of the garrison, now raised a white handkerchief on the end of his fusee, and came within speaking distance of the fortress.

Then, assuming what he intended should be an imposing and dignified semblance of authority, he blustered forth, in a voice that might have been heard at a much greater distance-- "What, ho! I summon ye all, in the name of the Confederacy of the United Sovereign States of North America, to submit yourselves to the laws." "Doctor or no Doctor; he is an enemy, Nelly; hear him! hear him! he talks of the law." "Stop! stay till I hear his answer!" said the nearly breathless Ellen, pushing aside the dangerous weapons which were again pointed in the direction of the shrinking person of the herald.
"I admonish and forewarn ye all," continued the startled Doctor, "that I am a peaceful citizen of the before named Confederacy, or to speak with greater accuracy, Union, a supporter of the Social Compact, and a lover of good order and amity;" then, perceiving that the danger was, at least, temporarily removed, he once more raised his voice to the hostile pitch,--"I charge ye all, therefore, to submit to the laws." "I thought you were a friend," Ellen replied; "and that you travelled with my uncle, in virtue of an agreement--" "It is void! I have been deceived in the very premises, and, I hereby pronounce, a certain compactum, entered into and concluded between Ishmael Bush, squatter, and Obed Battius, M.D., to be incontinently null and of non-effect.