utskirts, occupying a
deserted farmhouse, and a half-dozen barns close by. Sentinels had been
carefully posted, and Deck and the others got a good sleep after the
night of wakefulness at the swamp.

It still wanted two hours of daylight when a message was brought to Deck
that the Riverlawns were wanted at a spot two miles south of where they
were encamped. It was reported that a portion of Minty's cavalry had
encountered a body of Forrest's command, to which was attached a number
of Tennessee guerillas. Help was wanted at once, or the Union troops
would be annihilated.

The message perplexed Deck not a little, as he had no idea that Minty
was in the vicinity. Yet, if help was needed, he was not the one to hold
back, and in less than half an hour the Riverlawns were on the way,
eating their ham and hardtack as they galloped forward. The messenger,
an elderly man who wore the shoulder straps of a lieutenant of cavalry,
stated that he knew every foot of ground in that part of Alabama, and
was, therefore, allowed to take the lead without question.

For half a mile the course was along a well-defined trail leading out of
the swamp lands to a rocky and sandy elevation covered with a stunted
growth of trees. Then they came to a narrow defile where but two
cavalrymen could ride abreast. Here a guard was thrown out; but no enemy
developed, and the defile was left behind and they emerged upon an open
plain ending in a slight depression. From here a woods could be seen,
almost three-quarters of a mile distant.

Deck had been riding at the head of the column, but at the defile he had
turned back, to make certain that every company came through in safety.
Now he moved forward once more, just as Captain Abbey made the
discovery that the trail was becoming dangerous through quicksands.

"We have gone wrong, Major, I believe," said the captain. "Where is that
guide?"

"Why, I left him with you!" exclaimed Deck, in astonishment.

"I know you did; but he rode back to interview you and see if it
wouldn't be advisable to branch off on two roads which he stated were
just beyond here."

"I have seen nothing of him," said Deck, and instantly became
suspicious. Several messengers were sent out, to the front and the rear,
and it speedily became known that the guide had disappeared. Hardly had
this word come in than the rear guard announced the presence of a body
of Confederate cavalry on the hills on both sides of the defile just
pass