talion galloped to one road, the second battalion to
the other, while Major Truman's command kept on the grand circle. Thus
it was fight or go back and be hunted down, and the plucky Confederate
captain chose to fight. Those on the second road ran or rode to the
first, and the entire command charged the first company of Deck's
battalion.

[Illustration: HIS FOOT CAUGHT THE MAN IN THE FACE.

_Page 249._]

Maddened by what seemed a hopeless charge, the Confederates fought
desperately, but they could do nothing against such superior numbers,
and almost the first man to go down was the captain, shot through the
heart. Deck was within a hundred feet of the fellow, and hardly had
their leader fallen than two Confederates rushed upon the young major,
each with a bayonet affixed to his gun.

"We'll run you through, Yank!" cried one, and made a furious onslaught
with his bayonet. The other did the same, and although Deck was not
touched, Ceph received a severe prick in the right flank. The next
instant Deck fired, and one soldier went down, shot through the ankle.

The second soldier was directly in front of Ceph, and maddened by pain,
the horse reared up on his hind legs, made a leap, and came down heavily
on the Confederate. His right front foot caught the man in the face, and
he went down with a broken nose, a disfigured forehead, and totally
senseless. Then Ceph took another leap, and in a twinkling the whole
scene was a thing of the past.

The second battalion had followed the flying enemy through the swamp,
Major Belthorpe being satisfied his horses could go wherever the
Confederates found a footing. As the enemy was now brought to a
standstill, he was caught between two fires, and there was nothing left
for him to do but to surrender. The captain being killed, the second in
command, a tough-looking specimen of the "swamp angel," threw up his
hands, in one of which fluttered a dirty white handkerchief.

"Do you surrender?" demanded Major Lyon, who saw the movement.

"Yes," was the surly response.

"Very well; advance one by one, and throw down your arms in a heap.
Captain Abbey, have your company cover them well."

"Say, but you're a young rooster to be givin' orders around hyer," went
on the "angel."

"You will keep silent and do as ordered," said Deck, briefly; and then
no more was said.

One by one the Confederates advanced and deposited their arms as
commanded. This being concluded, Captain Abbey was ord