Suddenly the bugler up aloft, stationed by Captain Cortland's side, blew as though he would blow his lungs out, the signal for "cease firing."
Then the din of musketry died down.
"Captain Freeman," called Cortland, "I call upon you to surrender your command. You must realize that, under war conditions, you have already lost nearly every man of your force."
"I surrender my command," replied Captain Freeman promptly. "As you say, Cortland, you have us wholly at your mercy."
At the word, passed by their non-commissioned officers, the wearied men of C Company squatted on the ground.
"I take it I may go through the ravine to your camp, Cortland," called Captain Freeman, "now that we are harmless prisoners of war."
"Yes; you had better march your company through into the open and we'll join you."
"Thank heaven the cruel war is over," muttered a soldier in C Company, and a hearty laugh from victors and vanquished answered this sally.
Ten minutes later the recent mimic combatants were all together on the same ground.
But Captain Freeman was burning with curiosity.