Part 7 (1/2)

CHAPTER VI

A MISSING DOc.u.mENT 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 reenforcements 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 a.s.sured 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 fas.h.i.+on 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.