lan.
Then came Phil, leading a mule harnessed to a wagon, with all the other
servants following it. Last of all came the two field-pieces Deck had
seen on the piazza, each of them drawn by two mules. About a dozen
negroes appeared in the rear and on the flanks of the column; and the
lieutenant wondered where they had come from, though there was a
village of huts some distance from the stable.

"How many of the robbers are left in the second story of the mansion?"
asked Davis, as the procession approached.

"Only two, I think, though I am not sure," replied Deck; and he
proceeded to reckon up the number that had been put out of the way.
"Only two."

"Enough to burn the house," added Davis.

As he spoke he raised his rifle and fired. The lieutenant looked at the
house, and saw one of the ruffians fall at the open window, over the
piazza. No doubt he and the other ruffian who remained in the house had
heard the commotion on the premises, and Phil had shouted loud enough
to be heard in every room. The one who had gone to the window evidently
could not control his curiosity, and it had cost him his life.

"Probably the other has looked out the window also, and has seen the
approach of the rest of the gang," said Davis, as he reloaded his
rifle. "He can leave now if he wants to; for there is no one left in
the house to prevent him from going. But I don't like to have another
added to the number of the enemy."

The rifleman walked over to a point where he could obtain a better view
of the other window. It was open, but no one could be seen in the room.
Very likely he had heard the report of the rifle which killed the
other, or the noise of his fall. At any rate, he did not show himself.

"No more game here just now," said Davis; and he and Deck walked over
to the fort.

They found the two brass guns in position for use, and Warren in charge
of them. Four of the servants, including Phil, were his assistants. The
dozen rifles Deck had seen on the piazzas, and the heavy revolvers,
were leaning against the trees, or hanging from the branches. The
mule-wagon was in the grove, containing the ammunition; the mules
harnessed to the fore-trucks of the gun-carriages were at a safe
distance, and everything seemed to be ready to open fire upon the
enemy.

"Colonel Hickman, you are much more familiar with the situation here
than I am," said Deck when he met the planter. "You are a veteran
soldier, and I am glad to resign the co