ed. Deck had but listened to the report when there came another from
the front. The plain was impassable, being nothing more than an immense
bed of quicksand. The Riverlawns were caught in a trap.

CHAPTER XX

MAJOR LYON WINS A BATTLE AND LOSES HIS HORSE

Major Dexter Lyon realized that he had been played false by the
so-styled guide, and that his two battalions were in a dangerous
situation. The eight companies of horsemen were in the centre of a small
plain. In a semicircle in front was a low and treacherous quicksand,
impossible of passage; in a semicircle to the rear was a rocky
elevation, divided in half by the defile through which the cavalry had
just passed. On the rocky elevation, on both sides of the defile,
Confederate cavalry had been discovered, ready to pour in a hot fire on
them the moment they attempted to turn back on their trail.

"Major, it looks as if our goose was cooked," remarked Tom Belthorpe,
after the reports from the front and the rear had been considered. "They
couldn't have laid a neater trap for us."

"And I allowed myself to walk into it blindfolded," answered Deck,
somewhat bitterly.

"The rebels kept mighty shady when we came through the defile," put in
Captain Abbey, who was also at hand. "I wonder why they didn't open on
us then and there?"

"That is an easy question to answer, Captain," said Deck. "If they had
opened up, our command could have retreated; now they have every one of
us just about where they want us."

"But you won't surrender without a fight, will you?" demanded Kate
Belthorpe's brother, anxiously.

"I have never yet done any surrendering, Tom. I want to know just how
bad--What is it, Captain?"

"A flag of truce," answered Captain Life Knox, as he dashed up. "A
private is carrying it, and there is a Confederate captain of cavalry
with him."

"Indeed! They evidently want to rush things. Come with me, and we'll see
what they want."

Side by side Deck and Life rode off, the way being to the lower edge of
the rocky elevation. Here the Confederates had come to a halt in the
midst of some underbrush.

"I am Captain Adairs, Mississippi Volunteer Cavalry," said the
Confederate officer, with a salute, which the others promptly returned.
"Who is in command of those Union troops?"

"I am in command," answered Deck.

"Major Dexter Lyon," put in Life, introducing him.

"Well, Major Lyon, I reckon you know we have you in a pretty tight box,"
went on the C