u 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 reenforcements.

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
b