When the halt came Major Deck made his promised speech. "Our
quartermaster is doing his best," he said, "and officers are faring no
better than the men. If we are badly off, the enemy is worse, so let us
leave the growling to them. I feel certain our government will not
forget us, and that supplies will soon be coming through in abundance."

For a moment there was a silence. "We didn't mean anything, Major," came
from a private of the second company. "The quartermaster is all right.
Three cheers for him!" The cheers were given with a will; and then
Hickman felt much better.

Life Knox and several others had gone off on a scout for "extras." They
had brought down two rabbits when they ran across a house set in a
grove of untrimmed trees. The front door was open on a crack, and at the
crack an elderly man was stationed with a shot-gun.

"Keep off! keep off!" cried the man as he stepped onto the porch. "I
don't want any soldiers around here."

"So it would seem," answered the tall Kentuckian, dryly. "Who are you?"

"Eh?" queried the man, who was a bit deaf.

"Stand still and tell us who you are."

"That's my business. You clear out!"

"Rather guess it's our business just now," laughed another of the
cavalrymen.

"A man's house is his castle, and I want you to leave me," stormed the
man with the shot-gun. "You are nothing but Yankees!"

"That is true," returned Life. "What have you in your house?"

"Eh?"

"Most awfully deaf, he is," grunted another of the party. "Have you got
many provisions on hand?" he added, in a louder key.

"Eh?" and the man with the shot-gun leaned forward. "Did you say
provisions?"

"Yes; have you any?" joined in Life.

"Enough for myself. Ain't got none for you--I can tell you that!"

"Reckon you have got something for us," grinned the tall Kentuckian.

Another of the party, Sandy Lyon, had, in the meantime, slipped behind
the house. He now appeared at the edge of the porch and suddenly leaped
upon the elderly man.

Utterly off his guard, for he had not heard Sandy approaching, the deaf
man proved an easy victim, and in a twinkle his gun was taken from him.

"That was a good move, Sandy," said Life. "Now sit down and behave
yourself, sir," he added, to the man, whose name was Gessel, and forced
the deaf one to a seat on the porch.

Having overcome the only inhabitant of the house, the cavalrymen made an
inspection of the premises and found over a score of boxes and barrels,
filled with provisions intended for a Confederate force encamped in the
vicinity of Rover.

Orders were at once sent to the quartermaster to take possession of the
prize, and Colonel Lyon was notified of the Confederate detachment
mentioned.

Realizing that the matter would brook of no delay, a consultation with
the general of the command was held, and this resulted in Deck being
sent off with his battalion to locate the Confederates, if possible, and
engage them.




CHAPTER VIII

THE ENGAGEMENT NEAR SPRING HILL


The course of the first battalion of the Riverlawn Cavalry was along a
path scarcely wide enough for four horsemen to ride abreast. It was
through a thicket of dwarf trees, the limbs of which took off many a hat
and scratched hands and faces. At several points the riders came to
hollows, filled with icy water, and here detours had to be made, for
fear the animals might become stuck in the stiff soil beneath.

As was his usual habit, Deck rode at the head of his command, with
Captain Abbey, of the first company, beside him. Several scouts had been
sent out and with them had gone Artie Lyon, by special permission of the
major.

The scouts soon found the road making a broad sweep to the south, and
presently came to a point where there was a clearing in the woods and a
brook. Here they stopped their horses for a drink, and Artie pointed out
some fresh tracks leading up the watercourse. The tracks were of men as
well as horses.

"Let us investigate those tracks," he said to Lieutenant Fronklyn, who
was one of the party. "I think they are about what we are looking for."

"I wouldn't be surprised," answered Fronklyn, who, as old readers know,
had frequently been on the scout with Deck, and he knew a thing or two
about the business. "Do we go afoot, Captain?"

"I think we had better."

The horses were tethered in the brush, and the pair advanced along the
brook with caution. Soon the trail led to the westward, and here they
found themselves confronted by a series of rocks, overgrown by moss and
covered with dead leaves. Fronklyn stopped and scratched his head.

"Are we stumped?" questioned Artie. He got down on his knees and
commenced to examine the moss. "I reckon we can follow the trail in
spite of the rocks. Come ahead," and again they advanced.

The rocks ran up and then down. At the other side was another clearing,
and not far away the regular road to Rover.

"Halt!" whispered Artie, catching his companion by the arm. "There they
are, as sure as guns!" and he pointed to their left.

The young captain was right. Encamped on the edge of the clearing, and
not over two hundred yards from the Rover road, was a company of
Confederate cavalry. The men were taking it easy, smoking and playing
cards. Not even a picket appeared in their vicinity.

"Let us count them," whispered Artie, and began the task, while Fronklyn
did the same. They settled on forty-three men, not counting several who
could be heard talking, but who were out of sight.

"Half a hundred," murmured the young captain. "If we are smart we ought
to be able to bag the lot. Come on back, just as quickly as we can make
it;" and he caught Fronklyn by the arm a second time.

When the brook was again reached, the other scouts were called in, and
all lost no time in reporting to Deck. The major listened to what Artie
and Fronklyn had to say with interest, and nodded when Artie spoke of
bagging the lot.

"You are right," he said, and sent for Captains Abbey, Blenks, and
Richland of the other companies.

It was soon arranged that the first and second companies should proceed
along the regular road until the vicinity of the Confederate camp was
reached. In the meantime the third and fourth companies under Captain
Richland were to take to the trail Artie had discovered, thus covering
the enemy's rear.

"As soon as we reach our position, I will send out Lieutenant Fronklyn
to ascertain your arrival," said the major. "Then the four companies
will take their positions north, west, east, and south as they rank. The
enemy will thus be completely surrounded, and as our men will be
protected by the woods, I do not see how they can do anything but
surrender, unless they submit themselves to great slaughter."

"But supposing they make a break?" was the question put by Captain
Richland.

"If they do, it will depend upon circumstances as to what shall be done,
and I'll send you further orders," answered the major.

The two commands separated, and Deck rode forward at the head of the
first detachment. The approach to the Confederate encampment by the
regular road was considerably longer than by the brook route, but the
latter way was the rougher of the two; so the young commander judged
that both detachments would arrive at their destinations at about the
same time. In this his supposition proved correct.

As before, scouts were sent out, Fronklyn at the head of the first
detachment and Lieutenant Black at the head of the second, each with
three men under him. It was wise that this was done, for the
Confederates had just begun to throw out pickets, having received word
that Rosecrans was sending troops after Wheeler and feeling the boys in
blue must come somewhere in the neighborhood of where they were
stopping. Each advanced guard managed to bag two pickets, silencing them
ere they had a chance to make any outcry.

"Who is in command of your company?" questioned Deck, when one of the
pickets was brought to him.

"Captain Barstow."

"How many men has he?"

"About twice as many as you," answered the Confederate, hoping to scare
the Unionists off.

"Indeed," rejoined the major. "That is all," and the captured one was
led to the rear.

There was a sharp turn in the road some distance from the camp of the
enemy, and here the first detachment rested, while Fronklyn hurried
through the woods to get word from Captain Richland. He found the second
detachment just crossing the rocks, and, waiting until the two companies
were located as ordered, reported the fact to the major.

The engagement was opened by the enemy, who, on finding themselves
confronted in the rear by the two companies at the rocks, began a
scattering fire and retreated toward the Rover road. The second
detachment of the Riverlawns returned the fire with deadly effect, and
four Confederates were either killed or wounded. In their hurry to leave
the exposed camp, the enemy left nearly its whole outfit behind.

But down on the main road matters were still worse for them, for they
almost ran into the first company, while the second company opened upon
their right. Bewildered, they came to a halt, and looked inquiringly at
their captain, while two other men dropped.

"Left wheel, double-quick march!" yelled Captain Barstow. "Load!" And
away they went, loading as they ran. But at the base of the rocks they
came to another halt, for from the trees some distance back glinted
nearly a hundred carbine barrels. They turned again to find more
carbines on the other side.

The first detachment had now come closer, and the Confederates were
completely hemmed in, with hardly a tree to shelter them. In this
position Major Deck called on them to surrender.

"If you don't do it, my troops will cut you to pieces," he added.

The captain of the Confederates wanted to fight, and to gain time
attempted to parley over terms. But Deck would not listen to him; and
five minutes later the company threw down their arms, and the angry
commander was forced to give up his sword.

It was learned that the captured body numbered but thirty-six men, the
others having either been shot down or having left the camp between the
time that Artie and Fronklyn made their discovery and the contest
opened. The wounded were cared for and placed in a farm wagon borrowed
from a planter in the vicinity, and the prisoners were marched along the
Rover road to where the second and third battalions of the Riverlawns
were stationed.

"You did well, Dexter," said the colonel, when he had been informed of
the course of events. "To capture such a force with only the loss of one
man killed and three wounded was remarkable," and he smiled
affectionately.

"I didn't do very much myself," said the major, modestly. "Artie and
Lieutenant Fronklyn found the rebels and I ordered the only thing done
that seemed practicable--to surround them."

"I see you still have your neck tied up. Does it hurt much?"

"A little, but not enough to speak about. Artie's wound was much the
worse of the two."

"You must not be rash. Captain Abbey tells me that you exposed yourself
several times while giving orders."

"I can't remain in the rear, father," pleaded the major. "How would it
look?"

"My first battalion can't afford to lose its major, Dexter. You owe a
duty to your command, as well as to yourself and me;" and here the
conversation dropped.

The larger portion of the cavalry had moved forward toward Rover, and
here another body of Minty's command encountered a small regiment of
Confederates and captured them. To this body of the defeated were added
the force taken by Major Deck.

Following the commands of General Rosecrans, Steedman moved forward by
way of Triune and Nolinsville, and joined Davis's forces at Franklin.
But Wheeler was on the alert, and by pushing forward at his utmost
speed, managed to pass between those in his pursuit. On the third day of
February he reached Dover, and there forced a fight with Colonel
Harding, commanding about six hundred and fifty men of the Eighty-third
Illinois. The latter was well intrenched at the new site of Fort
Donelson, and bravely resisted two savage attacks, then charged over his
works and captured nearly half a hundred of the enemy. In his double
onslaught Wheeler lost five hundred and fifty in killed and wounded,
while the loss to the Union forces was less than a hundred, exclusive
of fifty soldiers who were captured. With broken ranks Wheeler started
on his retreat through Centerville. Davis's command tried their best to
cut him off, and so did a portion of Minty's cavalry, but the
Confederate could not be caught, and he escaped with the remnant of his
troops across Duck River. It may be added here that when Colonel Harding
charged over his breastworks, he was sustained by the fire of several
gunboats on the river, which were bound for Nashville with a number of
transports.

The affair near Rover ended the present series of conflicts so far as
the Riverlawn Cavalry was concerned, and they went into camp once more
and were again joined by Batterson's battery. But the Confederates
continued to be active, and early in March an encounter took place three
miles outside of Spring Hill and another at Thompson's Station. The
Union forces, under Coburn, were outnumbered and compelled to surrender;
but the victory was of little value to the Confederates, since it did
nothing for the advancement of their position.

On the 7th of March General Phil Sheridan moved with his division to
Franklin, where he was joined by troops from Nashville and by Minty's
cavalry. The object was to learn the enemy's true position. Van Dorn,
the rebel leader, was at Spring Hill, and Granger was sent to dislodge
him. This was done with the aid of several other Union troops, and Van
Dorn was pursued as far as Rutherford Creek.

Once more the Riverlawns found themselves in the saddle and posted on a
side road not half a mile from the scene of the initial blows of the
battle. The road was a winding affair, and the several battalions
covered not only the highway, but also the hemp fields on either side.
They were kept waiting for nearly an hour, when a staff officer came
galloping up and informed Colonel Lyon that a portion of the enemy was
cutting through a woods to the northeast.

"You are to cut them off, Colonel Lyon," added the officer. "The general
leaves the details of the movement to yourself."

"How many are coming?" asked the commandant of the Riverlawns.

"Five or six hundred, at least."

Colonel Lyon said no more, but at once directed his regiment to break
into battalions. The first was to move up the road for an eighth of a
mile, the second was to cut directly across the hemp field on the left,
while the third was to follow the first, as a reserve, keeping as well
posted as possible on the movements of Deck's companies.

In less than five minutes Major Belthorpe's battalion was galloping
across the field as fast as the nature of the soil permitted, while Deck
was moving up the highway at equal speed. Soon a patch of timber cut off
the view of the first battalion by the second.

Major Deck now felt it "in his bones" that some sharp fighting was in
store for his men, and in this he was not mistaken. The position
determined upon by the colonel had hardly been gained when the
Confederate detachment, consisting of several companies of cavalry and a
like number of infantry, discovered the battalion in the hemp field, and
opened fire.

Understanding fully Colonel Lyon's scheme, Major Belthorpe now swung
around to the enemy's rear, the movement being easy on account of a
fence and a hedge at the further entrance to the enclosure. They
returned the fire, and several men fell upon both sides.

A slight rise in the centre of the hemp field cut off the view of the
road from the woods, and now the commander of the Confederate forces
thought he saw a clear opening before him, leading directly for
Rutherford Creek. He resolved to move in a semicircle also, and make for
the road, and gave his commands accordingly.

The march of the enemy's forces brought him on the road, midway between
the first battalion and the third, situated, as before stated, an eighth
of a mile apart. Owing to the winding course of the highway he did not
see either battalion until it was too late to retreat. Deck marched down
upon him, and Major Truman marched up, and he was caught between two
fires, with the second battalion pressing him in the rear.

But the Confederate leader was a "fire-eater," in the most positive
meaning of that term, and he resolved to make a dash for liberty by
attempting to break through Deck's command, since the field on the
road's right did not look like a promising one to enter, being broken by
a ditch and several swamps, into which horses and infantry were bound
to go down. He yelled to his leading cavalry to follow him, and, waving
his sabre over his head, charged down upon Deck like a veritable demon.




CHAPTER IX

MAJOR DECK LYON MAKES A PROMISE


"They are coming, Major!" shouted Captain Abbey, as the Confederate
leader forced his cavalry on the charge. "What had we best do?"

"Draw--pistols!" shouted Deck, by way of an answer. "Give them a round
as soon as they turn the bend."

The command had hardly been given when the first company opened fire,
followed by the second company, both wheeling to the left to let the
other companies fire. By this time the Confederates were answering with
their pistols; but, on account of their rapid riding, their aim was
poor, and the shots did but little damage.

The young major was a central figure in the combat, and more than one
soldier in gray directed his fire at him. But he escaped unharmed, to
find himself, two minutes later, faced by the Confederate leader,
wearing the straps of a major also.

The fellow was all of six feet tall, heavy-set, with a black mustache,
and beady black eyes, that somehow put Deck in mind of a rattlesnake
ready to strike. He came on, giving the Confederate yell heard so many
times before, and to be heard so many times afterward--a yell no pen can
describe, and one which arose, clear and full, above the clash of arms.

"Down you go!" hissed the major in gray, as he advanced upon Deck with
his sabre pointed, as if to run him through. His look was sufficient to
paralyze any ordinary man; but Deck did not quail, having been
confronted thus before. He spoke to Ceph, and the intelligent animal
reared up, and came down on one side, and a sharp blow from Deck's
weapon caused the Confederate's sabre to fly from his hand.

The Confederate was astonished, almost dumfounded, for he had calculated
that such a youthful commander would be "easy meat" for him. With
another yell he swung his horse in a circle to avoid a second blow from
Deck, and then, pulling his pistol, aimed it at our friend's head.

But Lieutenant Fronklyn was in a line directly behind Deck, and he did
not intend that his commander should be shot down thus readily. As the
Confederate leader's pistol went up, Fronklyn's sabre came down, and the
firearm fell to the ground, carrying with it three of the fingers which
had clutched its handle.

"Good for you, Fronklyn!" cried Deck. "I owe you one for that!" And then
the tide of the contest carried them apart.

Fully half a hundred of the Confederate horsemen were as daring as their
leader, and, while the others fell back and into the hands of the second
and third battalions of the Riverlawns, these continued to press forward
desperately, hoping to force a passage by sheer might of will power.
Truly, their bravery was worthy of a better cause.

The shock of battle was one of the heaviest Deck's battalion had ever
received, and for several minutes it looked as if the four companies
must go to pieces. But the gallant major rallied his forces, and the
Confederates were hemmed in so closely that they could neither advance
nor retreat. Sabre blows fell thick and fast, striking fire in a dozen
spots at once, and fully a dozen horses and riders went down in less
than five minutes.

But the meeting, if sharp, was also short, and with himself and two of
his officers disabled, the Confederate leader surrendered and the
fighting stopped. Scarcely had Deck received word that the fight was won
than Sandy Lyon rode up, as a special messenger from Major Belthorpe.

"The infantry are in the lower end of the hemp field," said Lieutenant
Sandy. "Where is the colonel, please?"

"With Major Truman," responded Deck. "Does Major Belthorpe need
reГ«nforcements?"

"He says he can take the infantry if he is given two more companies."

"All right; tell him I'll be over as soon as I can get there," was the
major's answer.

He turned to Captain Richland, in charge of the second division of the
first battalion, and left it to the third and fourth companies to take
charge of the prisoners, forty-two in number. This done, he took the
first and second companies with him, and rode with all speed in the
direction his cousin had pointed out to him.

His arrival came none too soon, for Major Belthorpe was having his hands
full with the infantry of the enemy, and it looked as if they might
slip through his fingers. Finding a good position near the rise in the
field, Deck managed to drive them back toward a position they had
occupied a quarter of an hour before. In the meantime word had reached
the colonel and Major Truman, and the third battalion came up on a
gallop. A charge all along the line was made, and the Confederate
infantry was placed in full retreat. One company was captured, but the
others took to the stony ground beyond the hemp field, and under cover
of darkness managed to make their way, along with a number of other
troops, to Rutherford Creek. They were hotly pursued by the second and
the third battalions, but the high water in the creek made fording out
of the question, and the Confederates escaped on boats, rafts, and
floating logs.

As brilliant as had been Deck's services during the day, he was not
content to let matters rest as they stood. Feeling that some of the
Confederate forces might still be in the vicinity, he obtained
permission to go on a scouting tour along the creek, taking with him his
companion of many such expeditions, Life Knox. The pair left the camp
quietly, although on horseback, and were soon out of sight and hearing
of their comrades.

"It may be a wild-goose chase," said Deck, referring to what his father
had said concerning the expedition. "But if we return empty-handed,
there will be no harm done."

"Just exactly my way of looking at it, Major," answered Life, to whom
the backwoods manner of talking was now a thing of the past. Deck had
taught him how to speak correctly, and for this the tall Kentuckian was
exceedingly grateful. He often declared that it was Deck who had made
him fit to be an officer under Uncle Sam.

"General Sheridan is bound to uncover the enemy's full force," went on
the major, as he urged Ceph to make a sturdy leap over a strong running
brook. "If we--hullo, what's this?"

He stopped short, as Ceph swerved to one side, almost unseating him.
This movement, on the part of the intelligent horse, was so unusual Deck
knew at once something must be wrong. "What is it, Ceph?" he questioned,
patting the steed on the neck.

For reply the horse turned about and pointed his nose toward the meadow
grass which he had just trodden. The major leaped down and peered into
the semi-darkness.

"A Confederate captain, seriously wounded or dead," he cried to Life.
"Poor fellow, he is hardly more than a boy," he went on, gazing on the
pale, youthful face, along one side of which the blood had flowed and
dried. "Perhaps we can do something for him," and he knelt over the
prostrate body.

Life also came to the spot, and between them they raised the boyish
captain up. As they did this, he opened his eyes and gave a gasp.

"Water!" he murmured. "Water!"

Plenty of water was handy, and filling his canteen, Deck gave the
wounded one a drink and bathed his face, after which he started to bind
up the injured head with his handkerchief.

"It's no use, I'm going to die," gasped the Confederate, not able to
speak above a whisper. "Are you--you Southern men?"

"We belong to the Kentucky troops," answered Deck.

"Yes; but what side?"

"We are on the side of the Union."

At this the youthful captain gave a groan. "Then I--I can't expect
anything of you. Too bad! I wanted to send word to my sister--" A sudden
spasm of pain caused him to stop speaking.

"We are not enemies, Captain, saving on the battlefield," said Deck,
tenderly, for this case appealed strongly to his considerate heart. "You
can rest assured that I will do all that I can for you--within the lines
of my duty to the government."

"Will you? You--you look like an honest fellow--and you are young, like
me."

"The major is all right, Captain," broke in Life. "Trust him for
anything he promises."

"I come from Chattanooga, where I lived alone with my sister Rosebel.
She didn't want me to join the army, and we--we quarrelled--" The
captain gave something like a sob. "I joined the cavalry--ran away from
Rosebel--and we--we quarrelled so hard I got mad and took the money--hid
it away--down in the back cellar--in an iron pot--eight hundred dollars
in gold. If you will do a stranger and an enemy a kindness, go to
Rosebel,--or send word--ask her to forgive--ask her--tell her I am so
sorry--so sorry--" Again the captain broke off, and now his eyes closed.

"Let me give him a bit of liquor, Major," said Knox, and poured some
into his cup. The wounded youth took a swallow, and it gave him
temporary strength.

"Oh, Rosebel, if I could only see you again," he murmured. He looked at
Deck searchingly. "You will go to her--or send word?"

"I will."

"Don't forget to say how sorry I am--how ashamed I was when I got
away--not for fighting for my country--for the glorious stars and bars;
but because I--I treated her so. She was always so good, since mother
and father died."

"I will do all I can for you. But your name--I must have that," said
Deck. The captain had fallen back, and the eyes were becoming glassy.
"Perhaps he had better have some more liquor, Life," he cried.

"My name is Paul--my name is Pa--" The sufferer broke off short. In vain
he tried to speak. A shudder took possession of him, and he stretched
out--dead.

"Gone!" muttered the tall Kentuckian. "Too bad. And only a boy, Major."

Deck could not trust himself to speak. During the past two years he had
seen many men die, but no death had affected him like this. Two tears
stole silently down his browned cheeks.

"Didn't catch his name, either?" went on Life.

"No."

"Then how are you going to find that sister of his?"

"I don't know yet; but I will find a way--I must," was the firm answer.
He felt that the dead Confederate had intrusted him with a mission that
could not be ignored.

Ere now the dead had been left where they had fallen, but both Deck and
Life felt they could not leave this boyish captain lying in the meadow
grass. Looking around, they found a trench dug through the meadow to the
brook, and in a dry portion of this they deposited the body, first
relieving it of a watch, a pocket-knife, and a photograph of a
pleasant-looking Southern girl, presumedly Rosebel. The sods from the
trench still lay upon the banks, and with these and some loose dirt they
covered up the corpse. Then taking a long stick, Deck cut one end flat,
and marked upon it with a heavy pencil,--

     ROSEBEL'S PAUL LIES BURIED HERE.

The stick was stuck at the top of the grave, and silently they mounted
their horses once more and proceeded on their way. It was fully ten
minutes before either of them spoke again, and then the subject was
something of an entirely different nature.

"Halt, Major!" It was Life who uttered the word, speaking in a whisper.
The tall Kentuckian had discerned three forms moving before them in the
darkness.

Deck also saw them, and brought Ceph to a stop. The three forms were on
foot, but whether friends or foes they could not tell.

They had reached the edge of the creek, and above the spot was a patch
of woods, while below was a long meadow, cut up into numerous brooks. On
the opposite side of the creek was another patch of woods much denser
than the first mentioned.

"This is the spot, Leftenant," they heard one of the party of three
remark.

"Are you sure, Bolder?" came in a second voice. "Remember, you were
mistaken before."

"Well, I'm not mistaken now," answered Bolder. "Here is the very tree I
notched."

"Yes, this is the trail," came in a third voice. "And I don't believe
there has been a single Yankee around."

"I trust not, Peters. But we are not out of the woods yet--in more ways
than one. The raft may be gone, and fording this stream in such a flood
as this is entirely out of the question."

"Oh, we could get over alone, Leftenant," answered the man named Bolder.
"But that wouldn't be getting over those cases of ammunition and that
field-pi--"

"Hush," came in a warning from the lieutenant. "You don't know but what
some of those hanged Yankees may be around here."

"That's true, though I didn't see any of 'em as we came along."

"Perhaps, Bolder, you had better make a circuit of the woods before we
get to work," said the lieutenant, a moment later. "We don't want to be
surprised at our task."

"As you say, Leftenant; Tom Bolder is here to obey Leftenant Blackrook
every time."

"Then go at once, and if you see anything alarming, give the whistle
before agreed upon," rejoined Lieutenant Blackrook, as he and Peters
moved into the grove of trees.

In a moment more Bolder had started off, gun on his shoulder. His course
was almost directly toward a clump of bushes behind which Deck and Life
had sought shelter, and from which spot they had overheard all that had
been said.




CHAPTER X

A TRIP ON A RAFT


The talk of the three Confederates had filled the young major with
interest. Evidently they had belonged to the troops just defeated, and
they were now on their way to escape to the south of Rutherford Creek,
as the main body on the retreat had gone.

But this was not all. A raft had been mentioned, also some cases of
ammunition, and something had been spoken of that sounded as if it might
have been meant for a field-piece. This looked as if the three
Confederates intended to transfer some army property as well as
themselves to a safer locality for men and goods.

It was too dark for either Deck or Life to make out the uniforms of the
enemies, but they were inclined to believe that they belonged to some
Southern battery which Wheeler had brought along, but which the
Confederate commander had been unable to bring into use. It instantly
crossed Deck's mind that it would be a big thing to bag the men, and
even a bigger thing to seize the ammunition and the field-piece.

But now a difficulty arose--a difficulty which must be met and settled
on the spot. One of the Confederates was coming toward them. What was to
be done with the man?

Deck did not doubt but that Life and himself were more than a match for
the half-starved upholder of a mistaken cause. They could easily compel
him to surrender at the point of the pistol, or they might throw him
down and gag him before he had any chance to make an outcry.

But would this be doing just the right thing, all circumstances
considered? Might not the loss of one of their number frighten off the
two others, and if the cases of ammunition and the field-piece were
hidden away, could Life and himself find the things in that woods,
filled as it was with rocks and brush? More than likely the articles had
been hidden away with care, especially the boxes of ammunition.

To Deck's way of thinking, the only thing to do was to escape the
observation of the fellow called Bolder, and then follow him up to where
the army stores and the gun were hidden. After this it would be time
enough to close in on the enemy, bring them to terms, and confiscate all
they were in charge of that was of value.

Doubtless Captain Knox's thoughts were similar to those of Deck's, for
as the Confederate artillerist advanced, he looked inquiringly at his
companion, and uttered the monosyllable, "Well?"

"We must not be discovered," whispered the major. "Turn to the left.
Easy, Ceph, easy!"

The horse understood the words of caution and moved off as silently as a
shadow of the night, to another clump of bushes. Life followed, and his
steed, also well trained, made no more noise than did Ceph. The course
of the pair took them out of the semicircle Bolder had started to make
around the patch of woods, and the Confederate passed fifty or sixty
feet to their left.

"Now we will follow him," whispered Deck, when Bolder's back was partly
turned upon them. "Be on your guard against a surprise, Life; there may
be more Confederates in this vicinity."

"I'm always on my guard," was the laconic reply, as both horses moved
off with care.

The course around the woods was a rugged one, and the journey took the
best part of twenty minutes. At times they lost sight of Bolder, but
never more than for half a minute at a time. Once they caught the
Confederate looking behind him and promptly disappeared from view into a
ditch, where flowed several inches of water.

The detour on the part of the enemy having come to an end, Bolder struck
out for the centre of the thicket. Here it was impossible to ride
without making considerable noise, and the major and Life dismounted and
fastened the animals to a tree.

"Is that you, Bolder?" came in the voice of Lieutenant Blackrook, as the
scout came into a clearing near the centre of the woods and at a point
where there was a fair-sized inlet from the creek.

"Yes."

"All clear?"

"Not a soul in sight, Leftenant. I guess our boys are further up the
stream, and the Yankees are below."

"I don't care where the Yanks are--so long as they don't come here,"
muttered the Confederate officer. "Hurry up, or we'll be all night at
this job."

"Is the raft here?"

"Yes, under yonder bushes. Help Peters carry down the three boxes of
ammunition, and then the three of us can see what we can do with the
field-piece. I'm afraid it is pretty well stuck in the mud, and we may
have to use a log or two to budge her."

"How about hosses on the other side?" asked Bolder. "We can't drag the
gun by hand, even if she is light."

"We'll find horses, never fear. Come, get to work, and I'll take a hand
myself."

Deck was in hopes that the Confederates would bring forth their
ammunition and the field-piece without delay; but such was not the case.
They first went to work on the raft, a clumsy affair built of two logs
and a dozen rough two-inch hemlock planks. The raft had become wedged
in under the brush overgrowing the bank of the inlet, and the trio
tugged and strained at a rope to bring her away. Evidently, like many
other Southerners, they were not used to work, and the task proceeded
with many growls from all hands.

The raft brought over to the inner end of the inlet, the three
Confederates took a breathing spell and passed around a bottle which the
lieutenant carried. A plug of tobacco also went the round, each
whittling off a piece to suit himself, with his jack-knife. Then the
three started along a dry gully just above the inlet. A thrashing around
in some brush followed.

"Here we are!" cried the lieutenant. "What a pity we didn't have a
chance to use that gun and the canister against the Yanks!"

"Never mind, we'll use 'em another time," answered Peters. "Catch hold,
Bolder," and he began to handle one of the ammunition cases.

Deck had seen enough, and now he touched Life on the arm, and the two
retreated to a distance where it would be safe to talk. "We've spotted
the things," he said. "What do you advise as the next move to make?"

"That is for you to say, Major."

"See here, Life, don't major me so much. You used to call me Deck.
Perhaps I had better address you as captain in the future."

"Don't you do it, Deck," pleaded the Kentuckian. "I won't say major
again, excepting when we are in the ranks."

"All right. Now, what do you think? I want your advice."

"Well, I reckon we want to capture the gun and the ammunition."

"That goes without saying."

"And we likewise want to take the fellows prisoners."

"Certainly, if it can be done--and I think it can."

"Then what more is there to say, Majo--, I mean Deck?"

"Something quite important. Shall we move against them at once, or wait
until the gun and the ammunition are loaded on the raft?"

Life Knox stared at the speaker for a moment in perplexity. Then a grin
overspread his good-natured face. "Reckon we'll let them do the work,
seeing that the stuff will be better on the raft than off it. We can't
do anything in the woods with such heavy luggage; but we might pole that
raft to some safe place in the Union territory."

"Now you've struck it, Life--just what was passing in my own mind. Come,
we'll watch the work, and I'll give the signal to open the ball with
them."

When they reached their first point of observation, they discovered that
two cases of ammunition had already been transferred to the raft. The
third followed, and then a rope was attached to the field-piece, a small
affair, but one capable of doing good execution in the hands of a
skilful gunner.

The men strained and swore at the hard work, and Deck and Life were glad
they had concluded to let the enemy undertake it instead of themselves.
To the rope two logs were added as implements by which to start the
piece, and at last it rolled over a rock in front of it, and they hauled
it to the water's edge. Here arose another difficulty, and the piece was
not placed on board until it had run the risk of dropping to the bottom
of the inlet. The weight of the gun sent the top of the raft under
water, and the lower box of ammunition received a wetting. The others,
having been placed on top of the first, remained uninjured.

"Take the lieutenant and cover him well, Life!" whispered Deck; and it
must be confessed that he was growing excited. "I will cover the man we
followed around the woods. All ready?"

"Wait till I take to the other side of the inlet," answered the captain
of the seventh company of the Riverlawns. He moved off immediately.

A low whistle told Deck when he was ready, and the major aimed his
pistol at the Confederate lieutenant, who was assisting in casting off
the rope which held the raft to the shore. The man Life was covering
stood on the raft, with his comrade, ready to pole the craft out into
the creek.

"Surrender!" The word rang out loudly, and its force covered up any
nervousness Deck may have felt.

The command took the three Confederates completely by surprise. One of
them dropped his pole, and the lieutenant let go the rope and
straightened up.

"What's that?" he queried, as if he had not heard aright.

"Surrender!" repeated Life Knox, from the opposite side of the inlet.
"If you don't, every one of you is a dead man!"

"Throw down your pistols," went on Deck, and the men turned again toward
the spot from which the first voice had come. Of course the major and
the captain kept themselves well concealed from view, and the
Confederates saw nothing in the gloom.

"Who are you?" questioned Lieutenant Blackrook, grating his teeth in
chagrin.

"We're a detachment of Union troops--true blue Kentucky cavalry--and
each man a crack shot. Do you surrender, or do you prefer to be bored
full of holes?"

"For Heaven's sake, don't shoot me down like a dog!" burst out Bolder,
whose name belied his nature.

"Shut up, Bolder!" yelled the lieutenant. "How many of you out there?"
he went on, and at the same moment leaped on the raft with the evident
intention of hiding behind the boxes of ammunition.

"Halt! I'll give you five seconds in which to throw down your arms,"
went on Deck, and began to count off the seconds. More frightened than
ever, Bolder flung his pistol in the brush at Deck's feet, and, seeing
this, Peters did the same, and followed the pistol up with a sword he
carried.

The Confederate lieutenant, however, was game, and dodging behind the
boxes of ammunition made a leap from the inlet into the creek proper.
Deck immediately fired at him, but owing to the darkness, the major's
aim was poor and the bullet passed harmlessly by. Life Knox also took a
shot, with no better result. Listening, they heard the lieutenant come
up and strike out for the opposite shore. But he kept as far under the
surface as his necessary breathing allowed, and the darkness speedily
hid him entirely from view.

Satisfied that Bolder and Peters had no other weapons than those thrown
down, Deck and Life came out into the open. As they did this, however,
Deck turned back, as if speaking to others in the brush. "You fellows
keep back until I tell you to come out," he said, and the two
Confederates immediately felt certain that a detachment of at least
eight or ten Yankees had surrounded them.

"Are you willing to submit quietly?" demanded the major, approaching
Peters, for he felt sure Bolder would do nothing of his own account.

"Can't help myself, Cap'n," answered Peters, who had not yet discovered
the young officer's rank.

"Are there any more of your kind about here?"

"I don't reckon there are, Cap'n."

"Where have the others gone?"

"Don't know as I kin answer that question, Major. Say, this is a right
handsome bit of work for an officer as young as you, Major."

"I want to know how close your nearest troops are to us?"

Before Peters could answer, a pistol cracked out from the opposite shore
of the creek. The ball whistled through the trees over Deck's head.

Crack! It was Life Knox's weapon in reply, but whether or not any damage
was done could not be determined.

"We must leave this spot, Deck!" cried the tall Kentuckian. "Whoever
fired that shot has our range here."

"It must be that lieutenant," answered Deck, and he was right.
Lieutenant Blackrook had swum directly across the creek and was now
firing as rapidly as possible.

"Tell the rascal to stop, or he may hit you," said Life to the two
Confederates.

"Stop that firing!" roared Bolder. "Don't hit your friends!"

"Take to the water, you cowards!" came in the lieutenant's voice, and he
fired again, a shot that both Deck and Life returned.

Nobody was touched, and now Deck ordered the Confederates to pole the
raft into the creek and down that watercourse, as he remembered what had
been said about the Southern forces being further up. All he desired at
present was to get out of reach of the enemy, and remain so until he
could get reГ«nforcements.

Inside of two minutes the raft was out of the inlet, and the trip down
the stream began. The flow of the current was in their favor, and soon
the woods was left behind, and they came out between meadow banks on
both sides. The Confederates remained passive enough, and Deck gave his
whole attention to discovering a suitable landing place--one which might
put him within easy call of assistance.

As has been said, it had grown dark, and now a fog began to creep over
the meadows and the creek, gradually shutting every object but those
close at hand, from view. The fog was very penetrating, and all on board
began to shiver with the cold.

"Where are you goin' to take us?" asked Bolder, presently.

"To a safe place, my man," answered Life. "Better not ask any more
questions."

"We are booked for a Northern prison, I reckon," said Peters, gloomily.
"If those prisons are as bad as I've been told they are, I'd rather be
shot than taken to one."

"All right; we'll shoot you if you say so," rejoined the Kentuckian; and
then the Confederates relapsed once more into silence.

"There seems to be a bend here--" began Deck, a moment later. "The fog
is so thick I can't see if we are turning to the left or the right. If
we--"

He got no further, for a shock told him that the raft had grounded. A
cry of consternation escaped his lips. They were on the Confederate side
of the swollen stream.




CHAPTER XI

THE ENCOUNTER AT THE RAILROAD TRESTLE


"Here's a pretty mess, Life!"

"We'd better get off just as quick as we can," answered the captain of
the seventh company. "For all we know to the contrary there may be two
or three thousand rebels around this shore."

"Pole her off!" cried Deck to the Confederates, and ran to assist.
Bolder began to do as directed, but Peters, without looking back, leaped
for the ground beyond, and ran for it as rapidly as his long legs would
carry him. Life was about to fire on him, when the major checked him.

"Don't do it, Life; it may bring the enemy around our ears."

"Right you are, Deck," answered the Kentuckian. "But don't you dare to
go," and he shook his weapon threateningly at Bolder.

"I ain't goin'," was the sullen response, and the Confederate began to
use his pole, although straining his eyes in the hope that Peters or
Lieutenant Blackrook would appear with aid for him.

But nobody came, and in a few minutes more the raft was again in
midstream. Deck now kept her headed for the other shore, and before long
they drifted up into a meadow which was overflown for several acres.
Here they ground so hard it was impossible to budge the unwieldy craft;
and the voyage came to a termination.

Before leaving the raft, Deck bound Bolder's hands behind him. Looking
across the meadow they discovered a farmhouse not over a hundred yards
away, and hurried in that direction.

"Major Lyon, where have you been?" the cry came from Major Tom
Belthorpe. "You look as if you had been lost in the fog."

"We were--a short time," answered Deck. He looked around and saw that
Tom had a dozen soldiers with him. "I don't know what you and your men
are doing here, but if you haven't anything in particular to do, I'd
like you to help Captain Knox and myself."

"Why, what's up?"

"We went out on a scouting tour and captured one rebel, three boxes of
ammunition, and a small field-piece."

The eyes of Kate Belthorpe's brother opened very widely. "Jee-rusa-lem!
but you are doing things by the wholesale, Major,--one reb, three boxes
of ammunition, and a gun! Where are they?"

"Down in the meadow lot below here. But you haven't told me what brought
you here yet."

"Four prisoners got away and we gave chase,--that is, my men did. I met
them on the road and came along, just for the excitement. We collared
three of them, and the fourth escaped in the fog. Certainly, I'll go
with you."

The pair of majors set off, Belthorpe taking six men with him. It was
not long before Bolder was placed among the other prisoners, and the lot
were hurried to the prisoners' camp, a mile and three-quarters away. By
messenger Deck sent word to his father regarding the capture of
ammunition and the field-piece.

As may well be imagined, Colonel Lyon was more pleased than ever over
this new exploit of his son. The matter was referred to the commandant
of the cavalry forces, and soon a detail of artillery came over and took
formal charge of the capture. Later on the field-piece was used to take
the place of one lost on Duck River some months back.

Van Dorn had retreated to the territory south of Rutherford Creek, and
for the present no further pursuit was inaugurated, and the Riverlawns
found themselves taking it easy, enjoying a well-earned rest. In the
meantime Morgan became active again, and the second division of
Reynold's brigade, under Colonel Hall, was sent in his pursuit. The
division took a stand near Milton, and Morgan, after trying in vain to
dodge to the right or the left, and, after a stubborn contest lasting
about four hours, was forced to retreat, with heavy losses.

But the daring Confederate cavalry leader, now reГ«nforced by some of the
best Confederate soldiers which the State of Kentucky ever reared, was
on his mettle, and resolved to make his raid in that State a success. He
had gone to Liberty, and was preparing to make another dash, when
Stanley's cavalry came upon him, and forced a fight between Liberty and
Snow Hill. Morgan fought desperately, but Stanley was too wide-awake for
him, and turned his left flank, and the raiders became demoralized, the
exact reason for which has never been explained. Carbines were thrown
away, horses went wild, and teamsters deserted their wagons; and the
battle ended in such a rout that it took Morgan ten days to get his
troops together again. Many another leader would have given up in
disgust after such a scene as this; but Morgan's nerve was of iron, and
he acknowledged no such word as fail.

It was about the middle of April that the Riverlawns received word to
move again. In the meantime Deck had not forgotten the dead Confederate
named Paul who had a sister called Rosebel living at Chattanooga. He had
made diligent inquiries concerning the young man and his family, but, so
far, nothing definite had turned up. He was hoping to get some word from
such prisoners as might have had their homes at Chattanooga; but these
prisoners were hard to find.

The movement of the Riverlawns was again in connection with two
brigades of cavalry under Minty. To this force was united three brigades
of infantry under General J. Reynolds and Wilder's mounted infantry.
Orders were to proceed to McMinnville, take possession of the town, and
destroy the railroad from there to Manchester. If the expedition should
prove a success thus far, the troops were then to be reГ«nforced by
others from Carthage, and Morgan was to be attacked again.

The weather was not bad overhead, although hardly clear; but the roads
were in a deplorable condition, and, as the regiment advanced along the
road, the horses sunk up to their fetlocks in mud, while the train of
wagons was even worse off. At short distances one or more wagons would
get stuck, and extra horses would be needed to pull the vehicles from
the ruts. After proceeding with the cavalry for three hours, Captain
Batterson's battery was turned back, to take up a position which was
being guarded near the river.

The railroad reached, at a point just outside of the town, a staff
officer presented himself to Colonel Lyon, who was riding at ease, with
Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon at his side.