As the party passed into the building several more shots were fired at
them, but the bullets merely found resting-places in the woodwork or
flattened themselves on the stone walls. Levi Bedford now saw one of the
shooters near the edge of the barn and fired his rifle, but whether or
not the shot took effect he could not ascertain.

"Well, we are here," said Artie, after Clinker's wound had been examined
and dressed. "The question is, what's next?"

Deck silently counted their forces again. As General was absent, they
numbered but eight including himself. He shook his head seriously.

"We are but eight, and if that captured rascal is to be believed they
have three times that number," he said.

"But our other negroes must be around somewhere," said Artie, "and
they'll need some men to guard the women folks,--unless they have locked
them up,--or--or--"

"Or done away with them," finished Deck, bitterly. "For myself, I am
ready to make a dash forward, be the consequence what it may. But I
can't ask it of you and the slaves," and he turned to the overseer.

"I'll do whatever you think best, Major," responded Levi, warmly. "But
supposing I go out with a flag of truce and learn what they have to
say?"

"Hadn't I better go along?" asked Deck, eagerly.

"If you wish--yes."

A handkerchief was soon tied to a stick, and, leaving Artie in command
of the armed slaves, the young major and the overseer sallied forth,
waving the flag of truce over their heads. They started toward the
mansion, but before half the distance was covered a loud and rough voice
from the barn called upon them to halt, and they halted.

"Come this way with thet rag!" was the next order. "If ye go to the
house we'll open fire on ye!"

As there seemed no help for it, Deck and Levi turned toward the barn.
While still a hundred feet from the building they were ordered to halt
again, and then a man in gray, wearing a tangled beard of black, with
matted hair to match, came forth to greet them.

"Well?" he demanded laconically, as the major and the overseer paused.

"Dan Wolfall, what does this mean?" demanded Levi, recognizing the
individual as a former citizen of Barcreek, and one who had left
"between two days" because of a horse stealing which had been laid at
his door.

Wolfall grinned, thereby showing a set of uneven yellow teeth, much the
worse for constant tobacco chewing. "I reckon as how it means we-uns is
in persession o' this yere plantation," he answered slowly, shifting his
quid from one jaw to the other.

"Whom do you mean by we-uns?" asked Deck.

"Me an' the rest o' Captain Casswell's company o' Confederates, sonny.
Say, you feel big in them sodger clothes, don't ye?" Wolfall asked, with
another grin.

"Do you know that you are liable to be shot down or hung as outlaws?"
went on Deck.

"Reckon we air jest as liable ter be shot down as Confed'rates, ain't
we?"

"Such men as you would be a disgrace even to the Confederacy, Wolfall,"
interposed Levi Bedford, his honest eyes flashing fire. "Years ago
Duncan Lyon saved you from a long term in prison, and this is how you
reward his brother and his nephews."

"Don't preach, Bedford, I ain't ust to hearin' on it. Times is changed,
an' if the Lyonses is gwine to take a stand ag'in the best interests o'
this State, why they hev got to take the consequences, thet's all."

"Kentucky has declared for the Union and we are on the right side," said
Deck. "Let us come to an understanding of the situation. What have you
done with my mother and my two sisters?"

"I reckon Leftenant Denny has 'em safe, sonny. Them's nice clothes,
sonny, but a gray suit would look a heap sight better."

"Are they still at the mansion?"

"They air onless the leftenant has took 'em away."

"What do you propose to do here?"

"Enjoy ourselves, sonny."

"Which means that you are going to confiscate all our stores and steal
our valuables."

"As you please, sonny. If yer come only to abuse such gents as we air,
better be gittin' back, sonny," and now the Kentucky guerilla tapped
his horse pistol significantly.

"How many are there of you?" went on Deck, hardly able to resist keeping
his hands from the ruffian.

"Twict as many as half, sonny. Is that all ye want ter know?"

"I see you are not inclined to meet me fairly," continued Deck, sternly.
"I order you to leave this place at once."

"Ain't obeyin' orders jest now, sonny."

"Very well; then you and your comrades in this raid must take the
consequences if you are captured. Moreover, my men and I will shoot you
down like dogs if we get the chance," and Deck turned back, followed by
Levi.

"Thet shootin' won't be all one-sided!" called the guerilla after the
pair, and disappeared into the barn.

When the major and the overseer returned to Fort Bedford, Artie wished
to know immediately what had been accomplished.

"Nothing," answered Deck, his face clouded in perplexing thoughts. He
was almost "stumped," although he did not care to admit it.

A shout was now heard along the creek, and looking from the fort those
within saw five colored men standing at the clearing. They were the
slaves that had followed the first detachment to Lyndhall. With the
colored men were three whites, farmers living in the vicinity who had
called at Lyndhall on business and who had been persuaded by Margie and
Kate to join in the defence of Riverlawn.

"Eight more guns," said Artie. "That gives us sixteen all told. Hang me,
if I'm not in for making a rush!"

Deck's face began to brighten. "Levi, how many men do you think are at
the barn?"

"I saw four looking from behind the doors," answered the overseer.
"Those with Wolfall made five. I don't believe there were any more."

"Then I'll tell you what I'll do," went on the young commander. "As
secretly as I can, I'll recross the creek and join the men in the
clearing. I'll bring them around to the meadow by the road, and along
the berry bushes at the other side of the lawn. There will be nine of
us, and as soon as we are in a position to attack the barn, I'll fire
two shots in quick succession. Then you must make a demonstration
against the house. But be careful that it doesn't cost you any lives."

Both Levi and Artie were quick-witted enough to see the advantage of
Deck's plan and readily agreed to it. Without the loss of a moment the
major left the fort, crawling on his hands and knees through the grass
to the creek.

Here the canoe and the raft were found as they had been left. Detaching
the boat from the logs, he leaped in, and crouching low, sculled for the
opposite shore with all speed. He was taking a big risk and knew it, and
expected every instant to receive a shot from the enemy.

But none came, thanks to Levi, who, calculating the time he would be
thus exposed, ran to the opening of the fort and called on several to do
the same. As no good chance for an aim was given, the guerillas did not
open with their guns, but they kept their eyes on the fort, and the
creek was for the time being neglected.

On reaching the edge of the clearing, Deck did not lose a moment, but
hurried the slaves and the white men back to the road and to the bushes
lining the upper side. As they marched along on the double quick he
explained the situation to Ralph Bowman, Sandran Dowleigh, and Carson
Lee, the three farmers, all natives of the county, and all Union men to
the core.

"They ought to be wiped out," said Bowman, with a vigorous nod of his
head. "I know Wolfall and Denny well, and a rope over a tree is the
medicine they need."

"I've got my Long Sam with me," put in Carson Lee, tapping his long
rifle affectionately. "Just let me get one peep at Denny or Wolfall,
thet's all." Lee was a crack shot, and on more than one occasion had
taken the first prize at target-shooting.

It took the best part of a quarter of an hour to reach the meadow Deck
had mentioned. Here there was a slight rise of ground, beyond which
stood the barn. From their position only the top of the structure could
be seen. Crawling Indian fashion to the top of the rise, the major
inspected the situation again. As before, not a soul was in sight.

Before moving forward he had stationed one of the slaves some distance
closer to the mansion. The man was armed with a double-barrelled gun,
and as Deck waved his handkerchief two reports rang out, the signal
agreed upon. Hardly had the echo of the gun died away than Levi, Artie,
and the others emerged from the fort, and began moving around the meadow
toward the front of the house.

The demonstration did just what was expected. Several men appeared at
the mansion windows, to fire in vain at the detachment from the fort,
they keeping pretty well out of range. From the barn poured the five
guerillas counted by Levi, anxious to learn if their services were
needed elsewhere.

By this time Deck's command was at the top of the rise, and the major
called on his men to take careful aim and fire, discharging his pistol
at the same moment. Carson Lee picked out Wolfall and the ruffian
dropped like a log, shot through the head. Two of the others went down,
one hit in the arm and the other in the side. The two remaining stopped
in perplexity, not knowing whether to return to their original shelter
or run for the mansion.

"Charge!" cried Major Deck, rushing for the barn with all the swiftness
of his youthful legs. "Come on, boys; don't let one of them get away!"
And he continued to fire as he advanced, finally succeeding in hitting
one of the remaining pair of guerillas in the calf of the leg, a painful
though not a serious wound. Seeing the turn of affairs, the last
ruffian, also wounded, sped for the mansion as though a legion of demons
were after him. Those who had reloaded gave the fellow half a dozen
shots, but he was not hit again, and tumbled pell-mell up the veranda
steps and through a doorway opened hastily to afford him entrance.

"A first victory and without a single loss," said Deck, as sheltered by
the big barn he began to reload his pistol, while the others also looked
after their weapons.

"Don't kill us!" came in a groan from one of the wounded--the man the
major had hit.

For reply Deck pointed his pistol at the ruffian's head. "You deserve to
die, but I'll let up on you on one condition--tell me exactly how many
men there are in the mansion."

"I don't know, Major. There were twenty-two of us at the start,
including the five we had here. I think three men were posted on the
road and along the creek."

"One man has returned to the house; the others are out of the fight,"
said Deck, turning to Lee. "That leaves exactly fifteen guerillas in the
mansion. We number sixteen."

"That's so; but they are well fortified," interposed Sandran Dowleigh,
who had not gone to war because he was subject to fits, but who,
nevertheless, took a lively interest in military matters. "They will mow
us down like wheat if we dare to make a rush."

"I will consult with Levi Bedford and Artie before we make another move.
Keep your eyes open while I am gone," said the major, and moved off in a
roundabout way for Fort Bedford.




CHAPTER V

TWO FLAGS OF TRUCE


The first battle, if such it might be called, had been fought and won.
Four of the guerillas had been put out of the contest, one forever, and
one had escaped to the mansion. The contest had been entirely one-sided,
for the ruffians had not had time left to them in which to fire so much
as a single charge.

But though the present victory had been gained quickly and with ease,
Deck knew that the work still cut out for himself and his command would
prove much more difficult and dangerous. The guerillas in the mansion
would be on a close watch, and it would go hard with any one imprudent
enough to advance within reasonable shooting distance.

By the time the major had gained the fort those intrusted with the work
of making a demonstration had returned to the shelter of the stone
walls. No injury had been done, and Artie and the overseer had had
their hands full in keeping the slaves from rushing directly for the
mansion regardless of consequences, especially when it was noted that
four men had gone down in the vicinity of the barn.

"Fifteen still left," mused Levi, when Deck had spoken. "We can go them
one better, but--"

"It makes a big difference where the fifteen men are located," said
Artie. "Five might hold the mansion against us--if they were good shots
and wide-awake."

"If only I knew mother and the girls were safe, I would play them a
waiting game," said Deck, taking a long breath. "They'll think we have
sent for reГ«nforcements and will want to make terms, sooner or later."

"We can send off for reГ«nforcements!" cried Artie. "Clinker can rouse
out every Unionist within two miles of here."

"He would not find many," answered Levi. "The majority are off to the
war."

"One thing, it will be dark soon," went on Deck. "We can move up pretty
close then, for there won't be much moonlight."

"But what of mother and the girls in the meantime?" questioned the young
captain.

"I don't believe they will dare harm them," said the overseer. "They
know that if they did, and were caught, every one of 'em would swing for
it. Denny may try to get a bit sweet on Miss Dorcas, but I reckon she
can hold her own. Those guerillas--"

"Hark!" interrupted Deck. "Somebody is screaming for help! It is
Dorcas!"

He rushed to the door of the fort, followed by Levi and Artie. It was
Dorcas, true enough. The girl had just come out on the mansion porch and
was trying to get away from a guerilla who held her.

"That is Gaffy Denny!" ejaculated the major, drawing his pistol once
more. "Hi, you rascal, leave her alone!" and regardless of consequences
he started across the meadow for the lawn fronting the porch.

"Deck, save me!" came in faint tones from Dorcas. "Oh, save me!"

"I will!" was the reply. And Deck increased his speed, bounding over the
meadow trenches with an agility that would have done credit to a
trained athlete. He had barely gained the lawn when Dorcas broke from
Gaffy Denny's grasp and fled down the porch steps toward him. At the
same time Hope appeared, followed by Mrs. Lyon and several guerillas who
had been in the act of transferring the lady prisoners from one room of
the mansion to the other.

The sight of his mother pursued by these ruffians excited Deck to the
highest degree, and without a thought of the danger he continued on his
course until within a hundred feet of the porch. Then he fired at Gaffy
Denny and saw the guerilla clap his left hand over his right shoulder,
showing that he had been struck. Denny had scarcely made the movement
when Levi Bedford fired and the temporary leader of the guerillas
pitched headlong on the grass, not to rise again.

The fall of Denny caused the men behind him to pause, and as they stood
on the porch Artie opened on them and another fellow was slightly
wounded. Then came half a dozen gun and pistol reports, and Deck felt
himself hit across the left side of the neck. The bullet left nothing
more than an ugly scratch, from which the blood flowed freely.

But now the prisoners from the mansion had come up to their would-be
rescuers, and catching sight of the blood, Hope fainted in Artie's arms.
Mrs. Lyon staggered toward Deck, while Levi caught Dorcas by the hand.

"My son, you are wounded," gasped the mother. "Oh, what shall we do?"

"It's not much, mother," answered Deck. "Come, give me your arm and
we'll get back to the fort," and catching hold of his parent he urged
her in the direction of the meadow. At the same time Artie caught up
Hope and followed, with Levi and Dorcas by his side.

The overseer was the only man of the party who was not handicapped, for
the major did not dare let go of his mother for fear she would sink
down. Levi turned quickly, and as the men on the porch prepared to fire,
pulled trigger twice, wounding one additional guerilla.

But now came a volley from the mansion windows, and the overseer was
struck in the arm. A second volley was about to follow, when a yell
arose from the meadow and the slaves under Clinker came on, shooting as
well as they could on the run. The windows of the mansion, now wide
open, received considerable attention, and two guerillas were noted to
fall back with yells of either fright or pain.

Deck got one more chance to fire, and then had to turn all of his
attention to his mother, who was so out of breath she could no longer
move. "My brave boy, save yourself!" she gasped. "Save yourself! And
save Hope and Dorcas!"

"I won't leave you, mother dear," he returned tenderly, and picked her
up despite her protests. He was soon following Artie to the fort, with
Dorcas running by his side, while Levi remained behind to take command
of the slaves and cover the retreat. From around the back of the meadow
came those left by the major at the barn, thinking a regular attack on
the mansion had been made.

Mrs. Noah Lyon was no light load, and when Deck gained the shelter of
the fort he was ready to drop with his burden. Finding the most
comfortable seat the place afforded, he deposited his precious load upon
it and fanned her with his soldier cap. Hope was just reviving and was
soon able to take care of herself.

"Oh, how thankful I am we have escaped from those ruffians!" cried
Dorcas, almost ready to cry in her excitement. Then she knelt down in
front of her aunt--that aunt who had for years been a mother to her.
Hope joined the group, and tears flowed down every feminine cheek.

"Keep watch here, Artie!" called out Deck, when he saw that all was well
for the time being, and as the young captain nodded, the major leaped
out into the open once more. The battle between those in the mansion and
those on the edge of the lawn was waxing hot, and he felt that he was
needed.

A great load was lifted from his mind, now he knew his mother and the
girls were safe, and he felt that he could endure almost anything.
Taking a short cut by leaping over a ditch some ten feet wide, he came
up in front of Carson Lee and the others from the barn. Lee had already
been firing, at long range, and the man subject to fits declared he had
dropped one guerilla stationed at an attic window.

"It is best that we divide our forces," said Deck. "Levi can take care
of those under him. We will take the opposite side of the house. There
are two magnolias over there--just the spot for such a sharpshooter as
you, Lee."

"Co-rect, lead on and I'll follow," answered Carson Lee, with a grin,
for nothing pleased him more than to have his marksmanship praised. Soon
the entire party was making another detour, while Levi's men fell back
gradually to a safe position in a dry trench near the centre of the
meadow--a trench begun in the spring but never connected with the creek.

When the major's party reached the magnolias, Lee and another of the
farmers climbed into the branches, taking care, however, to keep the
main trunks of the trees between themselves and the mansion. The others
collected underneath, also, on the sheltered sides.

"Levi and the niggers have fallen back to a ditch in the meadow,"
announced Lee, a minute later. "All the guerillas have gone into the
house."

"An' there ain't a head to be seen at the winders," finished Dowleigh,
the other man in the tree. "Reckon they have gone in fer a parley among
themselves."

"We have them where the hair is good and long now," said Deck, smiling.
"Not one of them can leave the house without being seen."

"How about to-night, Major?" laughed Bowman.

"As soon as it gets dark we can draw closer, and throw a guard
completely around the place. But I imagine we'll hear from them before
that--now the ladies have escaped."

"How so?" asked Bowman, with interest.

"As long as they held the ladies they thought they could make terms when
they pleased. Now, the case is different, and, in my opinion, they will
try to make terms before we have a chance to send for aid with which to
wipe them out, as the saying goes."

"Don't ye make no terms," burst in Carson Lee. "They don't deserve 'em."

"We'll see what they have to say, if they do come out," concluded the
major.

The best part of half an hour passed, and during that time everybody
placed his weapon in proper fighting trim again. Lee took one shot at a
face which appeared at a bedroom window and received a shot in return,
but neither took effect. Evidently the guerillas were on the alert.

"I told you so!" Deck felt like saying, when the side door of the
mansion opened and a man waved a white towel toward them. But the major
remained silent, and the man advanced cautiously to the edge of the
veranda. Then the young commander waved his handkerchief in return, and
marched up the lawn to interview the ruffian with the flag of truce.

The fellow was an ugly looking customer, over six feet tall, thin, and
with a face horribly pox-marked. He came swaggering up to within five
yards of Deck and halted.

"Say, don't yer think this game has been played long enough?" he grunted
rather than asked.

"Entirely too long," answered Deck, briefly. He had not yet forgotten
the manner in which he had been addressed at the barn.

"We-uns is ready ter make terms if yer don't ask the earth," continued
the tall guerilla, swinging his lanky arms into a fold. "Wot do yer say
to it?"

"I think you had better make terms."

"Oh, we ain't so terribully skeered, Major. But makin' terms might suit
better all around, thet's all."

"Well, what do you propose?"

"This. You-uns let us withdraw on our hosses to the road an' give us
half a mile start, an' we-uns will leave everything in the house jest as
we found it."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then we'll burn the hull shebang to the ground and take wot comes
arfterward," exclaimed the guerilla, vehemently, and added an expression
I would not care to transcribe to these pages.

"Do you know what will come?"

"A fight most likely," and the guerilla shrugged his bony shoulders.

"Yes, and a heavy one, if our reГ«nforcements arrive in time. And as
commander here I'll promise you that if you harm the house or its
contents in the least, every man captured shall be hung to yonder trees
as an incendiary and thief."

"Ye can't do thet--not to Confed'rit sodgers, Major."

"I don't recognize you as Confederates. You are simply outlaws."

"'Tain't so; we--" The guerilla paused and began to think of the
instructions which had been given him. "Wot kind o' terms air you
calkerlatin' ter make, Major?" he asked, in a milder tone.

"I want all in the house to surrender, and if you do I'll simply hand
you over to the county authorities and they can do with you as they
think best. But each of you must swear to leave Riverlawn alone in the
future."

"The boys won't agree on thet--I know they won't."

"They can do as they please; you have my terms," returned Deck, curtly.

"Yer won't treat us as simple prisoners o' war?"

"No; for such you are not. Neither your captain nor your lieutenant
holds a commission signed by the Confederate authorities."

The guerilla paused as if to say more. Then tossing his shaggy head he
walked back to the mansion, while Deck joined his command at the
magnolias.

"Bowman, you can do a big thing for me if you will," he said, calling
the farmer aside, and he explained a little ruse which had just popped
into his head. The scheme made Bowman laugh heartily, and he at once
departed to carry it out, taking one of the negroes with him.

It was just growing dusk when the farmer reached the vicinity of the
creek bridge. Calling on Woolly, the negro, to march by his side, he
quickly crossed the roadway, in plain sight of the mansion. He passed
from one thicket to another, and as soon as he was out of sight turned
back and went through the same performance again. This he repeated a
score of times, sometimes going alone and again with Woolly. This
accomplished, he told the negro to move down the creek and show himself
at half a dozen different places just as quickly as the act could be
performed, he at the same time doing as much in the opposite direction.
Sometimes the pair showed themselves with their coats, sometimes
without, and they knocked their head coverings into all sorts of shapes.

The ruse succeeded admirably, for even Levi, at the fort, was led to
believe a dozen or more armed men had just arrived, and he was for a
while considerably worried, thinking they might possibly be
reГ«nforcements for the enemy. Bowman's appearance opposite Fort Bedford
cleared up the matter, and the farmer came over to give the overseer the
particulars, thereby risking a shot which, fortunately, proved harmless.

"It certainly ought to bring them to terms," said Levi. "I'll wager they
will be out with another flag in less than a quarter of an hour."

Had a bet been made the overseer would have won by five minutes, for
exactly ten minutes later another flag of truce was shown, and a second
messenger sallied forth to make terms with Major Deck.




CHAPTER VI

A MISSING DOCUMENT OF IMPORTANCE


Major Dexter Lyon was on the lookout and saw the second flag of truce as
quickly as any one. At the same time Carson Lee, still in the top of the
magnolia, announced that "another rag" was "out for an airin'."

"You want ter go slow," he added. "They may be gittin' desperate an' up
to some o' their mean tricks."

Promising to use all caution, Deck advanced to meet the new messenger.
He proved to be a mild sort of a guerilla and was evidently extremely
nervous.

"I came out to arrange terms with you," he said, in such a low voice
that Deck could hardly hear him.

"Are you ready to surrender?"

"We are--on certain terms."

"I gave your other messenger my terms. I haven't any others to make."

"The boys is divided as to wot to do. About half of 'em is willing to
give themselves up unconditionally, the other half want to be treated as
prisoners of war."

"I will not treat any as prisoners of war--I said that before," answered
Deck, firmly. "Are you willing to give yourself up unconditionally?"

"Yes."

"Then you had best do so without delay--and so had the others who think
as you do. We will give you just ten minutes in which to make up your
minds," went on Deck, feeling he had the enemy, "on the run," and
determined to make the best of his chances.

"So them reГ«nforcements have arrived, eh?" said the messenger, and now
his voice actually trembled. "Just hold on ten minutes, Major, and I'll
be back," and he almost ran for the house.

The man left the front door wide open, and Lee, from his superior
position, announced that a lively confab was in progress within. In less
than five minutes the messenger marched forth, followed by five of his
comrades, all trailing their guns.

"Five on 'em goin' to give up," announced Lee, when a shot was fired
from the mansion, and one of the guerillas was seen to throw up his arms
and fall headlong. He had been shot through the neck, and expired almost
instantly. The others set out on a run for the magnolias, fearful that
their former companions in arms would murder them likewise for
deserting. A dozen reports from both sides followed, but no further
damage was done.

As soon as the four guerillas reached Deck's command they were disarmed,
and a guard of two slaves conducted them to a distance, keeping a close
watch upon them. Another negro was sent by a circuitous route to the
fort, to tell the defenders there what had occurred.

Deck now felt certain that those remaining in the mansion would soon
make a dash for safety, satisfied that every moment's delay increased
their peril, and preferring to run the risk of being shot than the
certainty of being hung if captured. At the most there could not be over
eight guerillas in a condition to fight, and the major felt assured his
forces could readily take care of them.

The dash came just after Deck's message had been delivered to Levi and
Artie. Almost simultaneously all the lower doors of the mansion were
thrown open and seven guerillas darted out, to scatter in as many
different directions, three going off toward the meadow behind the
barns, one in the neighborhood of the negroes' huts, and the others
taking to the creek and the bridge over it. In less than two minutes
each ruffian was at least a hundred yards from the nearest of his
companions.

In this emergency there was but one thing to do, and that was to divide
up the detachments at the magnolias and at the fort. This was done by
Deck on one side and Artie on the other, and away went the major and
Faraway, the slave, after the guerilla who was making for the bridge,
while every other ruffian was being pursued in a similar fashion by the
remaining Unionists.

It had grown darker rapidly, and it was with difficulty that the major
kept his man in sight, especially after the bushes near the bridge were
reached. There was also a danger of a shot, but none came just then.

"He's gone!" suddenly burst out Faraway, when the bridge was less than a
hundred feet away. "De earth hab swallowed him up!"

"He went under the bridge," answered Deck, halting. "Go slow, for he'll
shoot us if he can."

After this the advance was made with great caution, until the young
commander had gained the pile of stones upon which rested one end of the
wooden structure. Here the great tree growing by the bridge bench cast a
deep shade all around, and he had to strain his eyes to see at all.

Crack! It was the report of a pistol and it came from less than fifty
feet away. As the report died away Deck was seen to throw up his arms
and drop. At once an exultant chuckle proceeded from the guerilla's
lips, and heedless of the negro, he darted out of his hiding-place and
ran for the creek road.

"Oh, Mars'r Deck!" cried Faraway, in dismay, when he started back
dumfounded, for the young major had suddenly arisen to a kneeling
position, taken careful aim and fired. The bullet sped true to its mark,
and the guerilla went down, shot through the right knee.

"Hang yer cursed Yankee trick!" he groaned, as Deck came up to him,
totally uninjured from the shot aimed at him a minute previously. Lying
as he was, he attempted to fire again, but the major kicked the pistol
from his grasp and Faraway pounced upon him and pinned him to the
ground.

"Any kind of a trick would be justifiable in capturing such a rascal as
you," said Deck, as he directed Faraway to disarm the prisoner. This
done, and making sure that the fellow could not walk away, they propped
him up on the creek bridge and left him.

Returning to the vicinity of the mansion, Deck found that one other
guerilla had been captured by Artie and Clinker, and that white men and
negroes were scattered in all directions endeavoring to round up the
remainder. The search for the fleeing ones was kept up until midnight,
and two others were wounded and taken into custody.

All the prisoners were either marched or carried to Fort Bedford, and
here the wounded ones were cared for as tenderly as though they were
friends instead of enemies. The dead were laid out for burial, unless
the bodies should be claimed by relatives or friends.

Deck had bound a silk handkerchief around his neck, which felt stiff
where the bullet had scratched it. Artie had been hurt, too, but the
wound was of small consequence. The Unionists received even greater care
than the guerillas.

It was exactly two o'clock in the morning when Deck came into the
mansion thoroughly worn out by what he had passed through. Mrs. Lyon had
ordered Diana (not Dinah, if you please) to prepare the best meal
Riverlawn could afford, and while the family and the other whites sat
down in the dining room, the negroes made themselves comfortable in the
spacious kitchen. In the meantime the prisoners at the fort were kept
under close guard and a messenger was despatched to notify the county
authorities of what had taken place.

The mansion had been turned topsy-turvy, and a few articles of
bric-Г -brac had been smashed, but otherwise the loss did not seem to be
of much consequence outside of the fact that two dozen silver spoons and
a gold butter dish were missing, also some wine and whiskey put down in
the cellar by Duncan Lyon and which the family of Noah had never
touched.

"I do not mind the liquor, but I do mind the loss of my mother's
spoons," said Mrs. Noah. "However, I am glad matters are no worse."

"I was afraid they would break open father's safe," said Deck, referring
to the strong box in the library, in which the colonel was wont to keep
his cash and his private papers. "I was much relieved to see it still
locked up."

While Deck had been speaking Levi came in, and now he turned to Mrs.
Lyon. "That safe--I left it open for you," he cried hurriedly. "Did
you--"

"I left it open," gasped Mrs. Lyon, falling back in her chair. "I forgot
all about it until just now--the guerillas scared me so when they
marched in. If they--"

"The safe is shut--but still--" began Deck, and arising hastily he
hurried to the library, with Levi, Artie, and the women folks at his
heels. The door refused to budge and Levi worked the combination, a new
device Noah Lyon had had put on the door just before leaving home for
the seat of war.

When the strong box came open a mass of private papers and account-books
fell out upon the carpeted floor, and it was easy to surmise that the
guerillas had looted the safe of all that could be made valuable to
them. Levi declared three hundred dollars in gold gone, also two hundred
in United States paper money, besides a small box of jewellery, the most
valuable articles in which had been a diamond ring and a diamond stud
Duncan Lyon had worn during his life, and of which no disposition had
ever been made.

"We are five hundred dollars out by this raid," said Artie, while Mrs.
Lyon shook her head sadly. "We had better question the prisoners about
this."

He went off to do so, accompanied by Levi. While they were gone Deck
proceeded to arrange the scattered books and papers and restore them to
their original resting places.

"Hullo!" he ejaculated, as he picked up an empty envelope. It was
marked! "Not to be opened till five years from the date of my death.
Duncan Lyon."

"The secret envelope uncle left to father!" cried out Hope. "Oh, Deck,
where are the contents?"

"That is what I should like to know," responded her brother, kneeling
down with a hand lamp, the better to see. A large batch of papers were
sorted with great care, but nothing which might have belonged in the
envelope was unearthed.

"This is worse than the loss of the money or the spoons," sobbed Mrs.
Lyon, bursting into tears. "Your father has always been very careful of
that secret communication, which he thought related to your Uncle
Duncan's slaves. I am sure he will be much put out when he finds the
contents of the envelope gone."

Mrs. Lyon's tears set the girls to crying, and it took some time for
Deck to quiet the three. In the meanwhile he had all the female colored
help in the mansion search for the missing paper. These people brought
him a dozen or more sheets from out-of-the-way corners, but all proved
valueless, and at length Deck strode down to the fort.

The prisoners had been searched, but nothing had been found on them of
value. Each man was closely questioned, and the timid guerilla who had
carried the second flag of truce that afternoon admitted that he had
seen a certain fellow known as Totterly at the safe and had seen the
guerilla tear open an envelope, look over its contents and then cram a
paper in his coat pocket. Totterly had also taken a chamois bag--the bag
which contained the three hundred dollars in gold. Who had taken the
paper money was not known to the timid prisoner, nor did he know
anything about the spoons.

"I didn't want to jine them sodgers," he whined. "Gaffy Denny talked me
into it. Wish I had a-stayed on my dad's plantation in Logan County."

"Yes, you would have been much better off," answered Deck, briefly.

The discovery of the loss sustained put a damper on the supper, and
several of Diana's best dishes were hardly touched. But nothing could
just then be done, and after Mrs. Lyon and the girls had told how they
had been surprised by Gaffy Denny and his men and locked up in the
storeroom off of the dining apartment, each of the party retired to
catch a few hours of sleep. It is safe to say the lady of the mansion
and the girls hardly closed their eyes, but Deck and Artie were growing
used to excitement and had slumbered in the very midst of a battlefield,
and they rested soundly.

On the day following, several of the county authorities put into
appearance, and the prisoners were taken away to Bowling Green, some to
the prison, and the wounded ones to a hospital. A vigorous search was
instituted for Totterly, but nothing was learned about him further than
that he had confiscated a horse at a little settlement known as
Culver's, and had been seen riding with all speed directly south for the
Tennessee State line.

Deck and Artie accompanied the prisoners to the county seat, and on
returning to Riverlawn in the afternoon an hour's call was made at
Lyndhall--a space of time all too short for the major, for Kate
Belthorpe wished to know all about the affair at the mansion, and he was
impatient to ask her about herself. Artie, knowing a thing or two or
imagining he did, very considerately drew Margie Belthorpe to listen to
what he might have to relate, so the affectionate pair were left alone
part of the time, something which Deck very much appreciated, and to
which pretty Kate did not at all object. The girl shuddered when he was
forced to admit that he had been scratched on the neck by a bullet, and
flinging her arms about his shoulders begged him to be more prudent in
the future, and this he promised--for her sake, as he said in a whisper,
and the compact was sealed with a kiss which if not exactly brotherly or
sisterly was fully as affectionate.

"I suppose you proposed, didn't you?" said Artie, when he and Deck were
galloping home. "I gave you the best chance in the world."

"I--I--don't be foolish, Artie," returned the young major, and blushed.
"No," he went on, after a pause, "I didn't--but--I reckon it's all
right--at least I hope it is;" and Artie clapped him on the back
heartily and said he was positive it was all right, and they shook
hands. After that the cousins were more brotherly than ever before.




CHAPTER VII

IN WHICH THE ENEMY'S SUPPLIES ARE CONFISCATED


"Deck, what is that glittering over there?" cried Artie, as they were
crossing the creek bridge. "I declare, it's one of mother's spoons!"

"You're right, Artie," answered the major, leaping to the ground. "And
here is another. That rascal I wounded must have thrown them away after
I left him on the bridge bench."

Artie dismounted also, and the pair began a rigorous search for the
balance of the missing silverware. Four additional spoons were brought
to light, all having lain within a distance of two yards of each other.

"That's all," said Artie, after looking around for quarter of an hour
without finding any more. "More than likely several of the guerillas
divided the tableware between them."

Mrs. Lyon was much pleased over the recovery of even a part of the
stolen property, and a hunt was immediately instituted at the various
spots where the prisoners had been shot down or captured. Before night a
dozen and a half spoons were in, also the gold butter dish. The other
spoons were never found, although long after it was learned that the
thief had thrown them into the creek.

Immediately after learning what was to be ascertained concerning
Totterly, Levi had gone off with General and Clinker to run the men
down, were such a thing possible. The overseer was gone two days and a
night, and came back looking worn and haggard.

"I couldn't catch him, try my best," he said. "He has escaped into
Tennessee, and I doubt very much if any of us ever lay eyes on him
again."

From one of the prisoners they had received a very good description of
the guerilla, who was said to be tall, with a marked stoop to his left
shoulder, and with a long nose which did not point directly ahead, but
somewhat to the right. He was said to be a well-educated man, inclined
to drink, and was put down as using "school English."

"We shall never see or hear of him again," sighed Mrs. Lyon. "The money
and that precious paper are gone forever."

"I don't see why he took the paper," said Artie. "I don't believe it is
of any value excepting to father."

"We ought to write to father at once," said Hope, who, though younger
than any present, took a deep interest in what had occurred. "If the
paper concerned the slaves, what will he do if it is not found?"

"That's the conundrum, Hope," answered her big brother. "I'll write
to-night, and father will get the letter inside of forty-eight hours, I
think."

The major and the captain had expected to have a right royal time at
home while on their furlough; but the attack on Riverlawn had upset all
of their calculations. Nevertheless, they were warmly welcomed by those
at the plantation, and Kate Belthorpe made Deck especially happy by
coming over with her sister to spend a whole day at the mansion.

The furlough of the major and the captain was for ten days, and before
the time was up a letter came from Colonel Lyon, stating that he had
received the news of the attack on Riverlawn even before Deck's
communication was handed to him. The loss of the private document
intrusted to him by his dead brother worried him greatly, but he
presumed everything possible was being done to recover it, so he would
not risk leaving his command to take a hand personally.

"General Rosecrans is almost certain the enemy is up to some movement,"
he added. "I was talking to Colonel Minty only yesterday, and he thinks
we shall have work cut out for us inside of a week. Unless you can
accomplish something at home, you and Artie had better return to your
positions at the front."

The note had evidently been written in a hurry, for no mention was made
of the lost money, the colonel evidently valuing that at less than the
stolen paper. The communication produced a profound impression on Deck
and Artie, and after talking it over, both decided to leave for their
regiment on the following morning. Levi urged them to do this, and
promised to guard more carefully than ever against any possible future
attack at Riverlawn.

Early in the year 1863 several changes were made in the Army of the
Cumberland, and one of these was to transfer Fort Henry and Fort
Donelson from Grant to Rosecrans, giving the latter the entire control
of the Cumberland River. In the meantime, and during the several months
to follow, the cavalry of the Union forces was recruited as much as
possible, and many companies of infantry were placed on horseback, for
Rosecrans had discovered that little or nothing could be done against
the enemy's raiders by foot soldiers, no matter how daring or
long-winded on the double-quick the latter might be.

Toward the end of January, General Bragg, somewhat recovered from the
shock of the conflict at Murfreesboro, thought it about time to make
another demonstration against the army of the North, and he accordingly
directed General Wheeler to make an attack against Fort Donelson, so
gallantly taken by the forces under Grant nearly a year previous.
Wheeler directed Forrest to move his brigade with a battery of four
guns along the river road to the neighborhood of Dover, while he with
Wharton's command took a road to the left.

Several trusted scouts reported this movement to Rosecrans without
delay, and the general immediately ordered Davis to take his division
and two brigades of cavalry under Colonel Minty down the Versailles road
and endeavor to take Wheeler in the rear, while Steedman was directed to
watch the Confederate general's movements by way of Triune.

As the work of the Riverlawn Cavalry was well known, Colonel Lyon was
pressed into the services of the cavalry moving toward Fort Donelson
without, however, Captain Batterson's battery being attached, as
heretofore. The brigades of cavalry were directed to move by way of the
Unionville and Rover roads, the infantry going direct to Eaglesville.

The major and the captain arrived in camp just as the men were striking
their tents. They were warmly received by Major Belthorpe, who wanted to
know the news from home, and by Captain Gadbury, who was likewise
anxious to hear from Lyndhall and especially from Margie. Both young
men, however, lost no time in reporting to their father.

"It's a bad business, Dexter," said the colonel, when the loss of the
secret letter was alluded to. "I must say I am treed, as the bear said
to Davy Crockett."

"Don't you think the letter referred to the slaves, father?" said the
major. "I always thought it did."

"I did think so, because I was particularly cautioned by Brother Duncan
not to dispose of any of the slaves under any circumstances. They
originally numbered fifty-one, but three have died, leaving forty-eight,
as perhaps you know."

"Perhaps they were to be given their freedom," said Artie. "If that is
so, President Lincoln's proclamation has forestalled Uncle Duncan's
design."

At this the colonel smiled. "Almost true, Artie, but not quite," he said
slowly. "If we lived in a rebellious State the proclamation would act as
you say, but Kentucky, being still in the Union, is not affected by that
proclamation, strange as the statement may seem."

"Creation! but I reckon you're right, father!" almost shouted Major
Deck. "I never looked at it in that light before. We can hold slaves
even if the folks living below the Mason and Dixon's line can't."

Colonel Lyon turned his eyes fully on the young commander, and studied
that resolute face for several seconds in silence. From his parent's
manner Deck knew something important was coming.

"My son, would you care to hold our colored people as slaves if all the
other colored people in these United States were set at liberty? I say
these United States, for I pray God that this conflict will speedily
come to an end and that we shall remain an undivided Union."

"No; I say let them be free! Let us hire them to work for us," answered
the major, promptly.

"Yes; give them their liberty," echoed Artie. "I never believed in
slavery when we lived in New Hampshire, and I haven't got used to it
yet. It isn't a Christian-like institution."

"My boys, I am glad you speak my thoughts," said Colonel Lyon, and
grasped each by the hand. "Yes, the slaves shall be free; I settled
that in my mind as soon as I read our President's proclamation. I have
already begun a letter of instructions to Levi Bedford on the subject."

At this juncture Colonel Lyon was called away to confer with the officer
in command of the division to which the Riverlawns had been assigned,
and Deck and Artie hurried to their respective headquarters, the one to
assume command of his company and the other his battalion.

"Major, you are looking as fine as fine can be!" exclaimed Captain Life
Knox, of the seventh company, as he came up, saluted Deck, and then gave
a hearty shake to the proffered hand. "Your furlough has evidently
agreed with you."

"It would have agreed with me if it hadn't been for the trouble we had
at Riverlawn."

"I heard something of that, but I'd like to listen to the particulars,"
continued Life.

They were readily given. When the tall Kentuckian heard Totterly's name
mentioned his face grew dark.

"I know the skunk!" he cried. "He hails from the western part of the
State and once cheated me in a hoss trade. So he is the man? Very well,
we'll keep our eyes open for him."

Major Truman was also at hand, an eager listener to what was said. The
former squire of Barcreek shook his head dubiously. "I was hoping our
neighborhood would miss being raided after that last trouble," he said.
"But, being on the border of this conflict, I dare say we shall suffer
in this fashion as long as the war lasts."

In less than two hours after this the Riverlawn Cavalry was on the
march, Deck at the head of the first battalion, with Artie as commander
of his fourth company, and Colonel Lyon in charge of the whole. Major
Batterson of the battery was sorry to be left behind, but wished "the
boys" the best of luck.

"Don't let the enemy take Fort Donelson," he said. "Grant had too much
of a job taking it from Buckner."

The cavalry forces under Minty had been divided, one taking the road
through Unionville and the other that through Rover. The weather was
cold and threatened a storm, yet the Riverlawns made good progress over
the semi-frozen and rough highway.

The most worried man in the column was Quartermaster Hickman. For
several weeks the troops had been living on half rations, for the
government could get no supplies through, owing to the wrecking of the
railroad. The country for miles around had been so thoroughly foraged
that absolutely nothing was left that was worth picking up.

"It's easy enough to talk about providing something," grumbled the
quartermaster, while riding at ease beside Deck. "I'd turn the shirt on
my back into a peck of potatoes if I could, but the thing can't be
done--and there you are. I've lived on nothing but hardtack and a couple
of potatoes for two days,--and your father has done the same,--and yet
some of the boys kick."

"It's hard lines, truly," answered Deck, soberly. "But we shall have to
make the best of it, and that is all there is to it. When we halt for
dinner, I'll make my battalion a little speech on the subject."

"I wish you would, for the third company is the hardest kicker of the
lot," grumbled Hickman, and rode off, trying to solve in his mind how
he was going to make six boxes of hardtack, two barrels of potatoes, and
one box of beans last nearly a thousand men two days or more. "I'll just
have to swell out them beans, that's all," he said. "And all hands will
have to play Yankees and eat 'em," he added, remembering that some of
the Kentuckians had turned up their noses at this particularly New
England dish.