"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 Confederate captain, with a smile.
"Is that so?" returned Deck, as though the thought was brand-new to him.