Part 4 (1/2)

Moreover, the young major felt that some of the guerillas must be on the lookout from the mansion, and an advance across the lawn in front and to one side, or the meadow to the rear and the other side, could only have been accomplished after a serious loss of life. The guerillas of Kentucky were for the most part ”dead-shots,” and the youthful commander was not inclined to risk his men in the open against their superior numbers.

The creek at the point where the raft had been moored was between sixty and seventy feet wide, consequently the journey to the other side did not occupy over five minutes, even though the raft was an unwieldy thing to handle. As soon as they were near enough to do so, all hands leaped into the meadow gra.s.s, and started on a rush for Fort Bedford.

Bang! bang! bang! The three shots in rapid succession came from the rear of the largest barn, and Deck felt something rush through his cap and his hair beneath. A groan came from Clinker, who was struck in the side.

The negro staggered but kept on, his eyes rolling and staring from a pain that was new to him.

”'Tain't much, I reckon,” he panted, in reply to Levi Bedford's question. ”Anybuddy else hit?”

n.o.body was, and without halting to return the fire they pressed on. Soon they were under the shelter of the ice-house, as dark and silent as the rest of the plantation had previously appeared.

”I left it locked up,” explained Levi Bedford, when Artie gave a cry as he caught sight of the door. The heavy slabs of wood had been smashed in with a stout log used as a battering-ram, and a hasty search revealed the fact that the arms and ammunition, the overseer had mentioned, had been carried away.

As the party pa.s.sed 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, s.h.i.+fting his quid from one jaw to the other.

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

”Me an' the rest o' Captain Ca.s.swell'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.