In the midst of a torrent of invective from every quarter, the military were challenged to fire.

The populace advanced to the points of their bayonets.
"The soldiers appeared like statues; the cries, the howlings, the menaces, the violent din of bells still sounding the alarm, increased the confusion and the horrors of these moments; at length the mulatto Attucks and twelve of his companions, pressing forward, environed the soldiers and striking their muskets with their clubs, cried to the multitude: 'Be not afraid, they dare not fire; why do you hesitate, why do you not kill them, why not crush them at once ?' "The mulatto lifted his arms against Captain Preston, and having turned one of the muskets, he seized the bayonet with his left hand, as if he intended to execute his threat At this moment, confused cries were heard: 'The wretches dare not fire!' Firing succeeds.

Attucks is slain.

Other discharges follow.

Three were killed, five severely wounded and several others slightly." Attucks was killed by Montgomery, one of Captain Preston's soldiers.