t where
the marauders were located, and what their numbers were, and what
purpose they might seem bent upon. From the reports of these scouts he
learned that the marauders exceeded him in force by three to one, or
more, but that fact in no way appalled him. During a long experience in
war he had learned well the lesson that numbers count for less than
morale, and that with skill and resoluteness a small force may easily
overcome and destroy a larger one.

He knew now that his career as a Confederate soldier was at an end.
Federal troops had occupied Lynchburg and all the region round about,
thus completely cutting him off from any possibility of reaching General
Johnston in North Carolina. He had no further mission as a military
officer of the Southern Confederacy, but as a mere man of courage and
vigor he had before him the duty of defending the women and children of
this Virginia plantation against about the worst and most desperate type
of highwaymen who ever organized themselves into a force for purposes of
loot and outrage.

He sent at once for the best negroes on the plantation--the negroes who
had proved themselves loyal in their affection for their mistresses
throughout the war. Having assembled these he inquired of the women what
arms and ammunition they had. There were the usual number of shotguns
belonging to a plantation, and a considerable supply of powder and
buckshot. Duncan assembled the negroes in the great hall of the
plantation house and said to them:

"I have seven men here, all armed and all fighters. I have arms enough
for you boys if you are willing to join me in the defense of the ladies
on this plantation against about the worst set of scoundrels that ever
lived on earth."

Johnny, the head dining-room servant, speaking for all the rest,
replied:

"In co'se we is. Jest you lead us, mahstah, and you'll see how we'll do
de wu'k."

Then Duncan armed the negroes, every one of whom knew how to use a gun,
so that he needed not instruct them, and he led them forth with his own
seasoned soldiers at their head.

"Now then," he said, "we are going to attack these fellows, and you know
perfectly well that they are a lot of cowards, and sneaks, and
scoundrels. If we are all resolute we can whip them out of their boots
within a few minutes. Either we must do that, or they will whip us out
of our boots and destroy us. I do not think there is much doubt about
which is going to whip. Come along, boys.