midnight
He surrounded the house and demanded their surrender , at the same time saying that he did not want to kill the women and children . Word returned that they would kill him and all his Rangers . Hall told them to allow their women and children to depart , which was done ; then , springing on the gallery of the house , he shouted , `` Now , gentlemen , you can go to killing Rangers ; but if you do n't surrender , the Rangers will go to killing you . '' This was too frank a willingness for midnight assassins , and they gave up . Spies had informed him that robbers intended sacking Campbell 's store in Wolfe City . Hall and his men lay behind the counters to receive them on the designated night . They were allowed to enter , when Hall 's men , rising , opened fire -- the robbers replying .