From the outside of the Bickford's cabin there was no evidence of the cellar which would have to have been partially above ground. The small open window through which Daniel communicated with Paul would have allowed small animals to enter the cellar as well as rain putting their food and possessions at great risk. Otherwise their would be no practical purpose for a window of any kind in a cellar and it would not have been there.
Despite the fact that the British soldiers had confiscated all of the firearms owned by the Bickford's Clint appeared on the bridge with a pistol in his hand.