"Report to your sergeant," said de Peyster, and Private Doran gladly went away. Then the commander opened the letter and as he read it his face turned a deep red with anger. He read it over again to see that he made no mistake, but the deep red of anger remained.
"What do you think of such impertinence as this, Holderness?" he exclaimed, and then he read:
"To Colonel Arent Schuyler de Peyster, Commander of the King's forces at Detroit:
" Sir :
"You have a prisoner in your fort, one Henry Ware, our comrade. We warn you that if he is subjected to any ill-treatment whatever, you and your men shall suffer punishment. This is not an idle threat. We are able to make good our promises.
" Solomon Hyde.
" Paul Cotter.
" Thomas Ross.
" James Hart. "
"It's impertinence and mummery," repea
